by Xochitl Campos
Daily Lobo
Since 1991, the Frontier Restaurant has been open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
But about a year ago, the restaurant closed its doors between 1:30 and 4 a.m. on a Saturday and Sunday after a fight broke out.
"That was kind of the final straw. Fights do happen but not to that level," said Pete Villegas, general manager at the restaurant. "What we were getting after the bar crowd was strong impact from the Downtown bars, and it was just too much, too quick."
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About 50 people were involved in the fight. Some stood on tables and threw plates, food and utensils.
The fight prompted the restaurant to modify its hours, Villegas said.
"We felt obligated to provide a safe environment for our customers," he said.
But the modified hours lasted only one weekend. Not long after the Frontier made its decision, Mayor Martin Chavez called the restaurant and offered his support, Villegas said.
"He just said we would have overtime police during the weekends," he said. "And since then, we have had minimal difficulties."
At least two APD officers now patrol the restaurant from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends, Villegas said.
Legit Security watches the door. The guards use two-way radios to communicate with APD officers, who are stationed inside and outside the restaurant, Villegas said.
Security guards patrol the restaurant from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
"There is no one to blame as far as security," he said. "We learned from the situation that even if we add a strong private security company, we need presence from Albuquerque overtime police."
APD spokesman John Walsh said the department usually answers calls about fights in the UNM area but not like the one that happened a year ago at the restaurant.
"We don't get many of those types of incidents," he said. "We don't receive calls about large fights unless there is alcohol involved. Alcohol is usually a precursor to that type of behavior."
Customer Shawn Hunton said he usually heads to the Frontier after a night Downtown and was surprised when the restaurant changed its hours last year.
"I was really sad," he said. "I'm a night owl."
Hunton said it's no shocker fights happen at the Frontier.
"Things like that happen, and you know that security helps, even if it is just their presence," he said. "Their presence would make people think a little before they got into a fight."
It is important to keep a safe environment for the employees and customers, Villegas said.
"We get students studying overnight on a regular basis," he said. "Albuquerque workers know they can come here to have breakfast before or after work and not be concerned about their safety."
