Downtown Tucson bars have new technology in safety fight

Sixteen downtown Tucson bars and restaurants are expected to begin using PatronScan ID scanners by early August. The technology will let participating businesses share information about customers in real time when someone is removed for bad behavior.

The scanners can verify IDs and flag underage customers using fake identification. They replace the slower system used by Together Tucson, which shared information only several times a day. Since the program began in April 2025, 73 people have been denied entry to participating downtown businesses.

The Downtown Tucson Partnership helped secure funding for 17 scanners after its president and CEO, Crystal Moore, learned about the technology at a safety conference. Rio Nuevo agreed to provide $55,000 for the purchase. Businesses signed up include Block A Sports Bar & Grill and Lava, which have not yet opened.

The effort follows a downtown shooting that injured 10 people, including the suspect, early Sunday morning near closing time. The Downtown Tucson Partnership also said it is working on better lighting, visibility and activity in isolated areas, along with exploring additional public safety technology such as expanded camera coverage.