Deborah James, spokeswoman for the mayor's office, said Downtown is typically safe.
But a rise in violent activity at all-ages events is the reason behind Mayor Martin Chavez's initiative to keep underage events and over-21 events separate.
The mayor and the Downtown Action Team announced this initiative at a press conference Feb. 11.
Brian Morris, spokesman for the Downtown Action Team, said there are three all-ages venues that will be affected if the initiative becomes finalized. Those venues include the Launchpad, the Sunshine Theatre and Colosseum.
Joe Anderson, co-owner of the Launchpad and the Sunshine Theatre, said if this goes through, his business will not be able to continue.
"We couldn't be in business," he said. "We can't survive without ticket and alcohol revenues."
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He said both venues are only open when live acts perform. The Sunshine Theatre and the Launchpad have the 21-and-over areas fenced off and hire security to keep underage patrons out of the alcohol-serving areas.
He said the venues have few problems during all-ages events.
"That may be happening in other rooms, but it's not happening in our rooms," Anderson said. "We're getting lumped in."
Morris said the Albuquerque Police Department assessed more problems when venues have underage nights.
"We felt some problems were minimized if alcohol is not around underage groups," he said.
Jeff Arbogast, spokesman for APD, said there have not been specific incidents at the three all-ages venues that he knows about, but there have been more high-profile cases of violence Downtown.
He said when the age groups mix, police see problems.
"We don't need to see under-21 crowds mixing with adults drinking," he said. "Young people should have a safe place to go without the threat of alcohol, without the threat of drunks. It should be separate for their protection."
Capt. Rob DeBuck of the Valley Area Command has been patrolling the Downtown area for 10 years.
He said Downtown should get rid of underage events completely.
"I know it's unsafe for kids, and I know it's unsafe for adults," he said.
Under his supervision, Downtown crime has dropped 38 percent, he said.
But there have been problems with teens from other communities going Downtown, cruising and drinking and then going to underage events.
He said if underage people are going to be allowed Downtown, he expects to see a spike in crime.
He said it's hypocritical to allow underage people to mix with adults over 21, especially in a state that is trying to discourage DWIs.
"What's happening is there are 13-year-old kids out at midnight," he said. "They have no business being there. That's when violence happens. But the under-21 venues are attracting them."
James said the mayor is looking into making this initiative a law.
