# Security in Boston, United States Canonical page: https://closeprotectionhire.com/cities/boston/ Executive protection and close protection in Boston, United States. Massachusetts-licensed operators for corporate principals across Back Bay, the Seaport, and Cambridge. ## Threats - **Low corporate-area crime**: BPD Crime Report 2025: low violent crime rates across the Financial District, Back Bay, and Seaport; personal-safety risk for corporate visitors in these districts is low. - **Localised crime outside corporate footprint**: BPD Crime Report 2025: elevated crime in parts of Roxbury; this area sits outside the standard corporate travel footprint and is not visited during routine executive itineraries. - **Event security context**: The 2013 Boston Marathon bombing remains within event-security planning memory; large public gatherings and marathon-day operations require venue advance assessment as standard (BPD operational protocols 2025). ## Regulations - **Licensing**: In Massachusetts, a watch, guard or patrol agency, which chapter 147 section 22 defines to include furnishing guards to protect persons or property, is licensed by the Massachusetts State Police Certification Unit under chapter 147, sections 22 to 30. - **Firearms**: Chapter 147, section 29, of the General Laws covers badges, identification cards, weapons and vehicles of licensees. Ask any provider to show the firearms licence of each armed officer before an assignment starts. - **Foreign operators**: Chapter 147 sets out no separate route for a foreign security company. Use a licensed Massachusetts agency for protective work, and take US immigration and local legal advice before a foreign team carries out protective duties. Sources, checked 2026-10-06: - [Massachusetts General Laws chapter 147 section 22](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter147/Section22) - [Massachusetts General Laws chapter 147](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/Chapter147) - [Massachusetts State Police Certification Unit, licence form](https://www.mass.gov/forms/private-investigator-watch-guard-license-form) ## Zones Lower-risk areas: - Financial District: primary corporate footprint, lowest crime rates in the city per BPD 2025. - Back Bay: upscale commercial and residential, low crime rates, preferred hotel zone. - Seaport District: consolidated corporate and conference venues, active police presence. Elevated-risk areas: - Roxbury (residential, outside corporate footprint): BPD 2025 records elevated crime; not on standard corporate itineraries. ## Emergency contacts - Emergency services: 911 - Boston Police Department (non-emergency): 617-343-4911 - Brigham and Women's Hospital: 617-732-5500 ## Warnings - FCDO advises normal precautions for the United States (2026); no travel restriction applies to Boston. - BOS (Logan International) is approximately 5km from Downtown, making it among the closest major international airports to a US city centre; allow 15-30 minutes via the Sumner Tunnel or Ted Williams Tunnel. Pre-book all transfers. - Brigham and Women's Hospital (617-732-5500) and Massachusetts General Hospital (617-726-2000) are the principal Harvard teaching hospitals for international principals requiring acute care. Boston presents a low risk profile for visiting executives, with the Financial District, Back Bay, Seaport, and Cambridge recording low crime rates per BPD Crime Report 2025. The primary operational considerations are efficient transfers from Boston Logan, which at approximately 5km from Downtown is unusually close for a major US airport, movement between the compact city centre and Cambridge, and event-security planning that draws on the city's experience following the 2013 Marathon bombing. The FCDO advises normal precautions for the United States (2026). For principals requiring close protection in Boston, all operators must hold a current Massachusetts State Police licence under MGL c.147, ss.22-30. Our [executive protection services in Boston](/executive-protection/boston/) cover the Financial District, Back Bay, Seaport, and Cambridge. [Vetted security drivers in Boston](/security-drivers/boston/) cover BOS airport arrivals and city transfers. For regional context, see our briefing for [Chicago](/cities/chicago/). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Boston safe for executive and corporate travellers? Boston presents a low risk profile for corporate travellers. The Financial District, Back Bay, Seaport, and Cambridge record low crime rates per BPD Crime Report 2025. Elevated crime in parts of Roxbury sits outside the standard corporate footprint. The primary event-security consideration is the 2013 Marathon bombing context, which informs advance assessment planning for large public events. The FCDO advises normal precautions for the United States (2026). ### What close protection licensing applies in Massachusetts? Massachusetts private security is regulated under chapter 147, sections 22 to 30, of the Massachusetts General Laws, administered by the Massachusetts State Police Certification Unit. All operators must hold a current state licence. ### What are the main security zones for executives in Boston? The Financial District, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the Seaport District, and Cambridge form the standard lower-risk corporate and academic footprint. BPD Crime Report 2025 records elevated crime in parts of Roxbury, which sits outside these areas. Boston's compact geography means transfers between districts are short. ### What medical facilities are available for international executives in Boston? Brigham and Women's Hospital (617-732-5500) and Massachusetts General Hospital (617-726-2000) are major Harvard Medical School teaching hospitals in the Back Bay and Beacon Hill areas respectively, providing acute and specialist care for international principals. Medical evacuation coordination should be confirmed with your travel insurance provider before departure.