Planning travel to Houston? Speak with a security consultant.
Houston presents a moderate risk profile for visiting executives, with the Galleria, River Oaks, and Memorial districts recording materially lower crime rates than the areas documented as elevated in HPD Crime Report 2025, including parts of Downtown at night and the Third Ward. The city’s geographical scale and the specific risk profiles associated with energy-sector executives make pre-surveyed, route-planned transport a consistent operational requirement across all principal movements. The FCDO advises normal precautions for the United States (2026).
For principals requiring close protection in Houston, all operators must hold a current Texas DPS licence under the Private Security Act (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702). Our executive protection services in Houston cover the Galleria, Downtown, Greenway Plaza, and the Texas Medical Center. Vetted security drivers in Houston cover IAH and HOU airport arrivals and metropolitan transfers. For regional context, see our briefing for Chicago.
What are the main security threats in Houston?
Property and vehicle crime
HPD Crime Report 2025: elevated property crime and vehicle theft across the metropolitan area; parked vehicles are frequent targets in all districts.
Localised violent crime
HPD Crime Report 2025: elevated violent crime in parts of Downtown at night and in the Third Ward; both areas sit outside the standard corporate footprint.
Energy-sector executive exposure
Houston's energy-sector concentration creates specific executive risk profiles that require individual threat assessment beyond the general city picture (HPD 2025 operational context).
Vetted operators with direct experience in Houston
What security services are available in Houston?
Executive Protection
Close protection for energy-sector and corporate executives covering Downtown, the Galleria, Greenway Plaza, and the Texas Medical Center, with Texas DPS-licensed operators.
Security Drivers
Vetted drivers covering IAH and HOU airport arrivals and departures, intercity transfers, and route-planned metropolitan movement across this dispersed city.
Residential Security
Static and mobile residential security for River Oaks, Memorial, and West University properties, including hotel suite security surveys at Galleria hotels.
Event Security
Close protection and venue security for energy conferences, corporate events, and private functions at Downtown and Galleria venues, with advance work.
What are the rules for private security in Houston?
Key regulatory requirements for operating security services in Houston.
Firearms Policy
Under section 1702.161 of the Texas Occupations Code, a security officer may not carry a firearm on duty without a security officer commission issued by the Department of Public Safety. Under section 1702.202, a person who protects another individual from bodily harm while carrying a firearm is acting as a personal protection officer and needs a personal protection officer licence. That licence requires the applicant to hold a security officer commission, be at least 21 and work for a licensed guard or investigations company (section 1702.204).
Licensing
Private security in Texas is regulated by the Texas Department of Public Safety under the Private Security Act (chapter 1702 of the Texas Occupations Code) and the rules in 37 TAC Part 1, Chapter 35. Ask any provider for its DPS company licence and for each officer's commission or personal protection officer licence.
Foreign Operators
Chapter 1702 sets out no separate route for a foreign security company. Use a DPS-licensed company for protective work in Texas, and take US immigration and local legal advice before a foreign team carries out protective duties.
Sources, checked : Texas DPS, private security laws and regulations; Texas Occupations Code section 1702.001, text (Public.Law); Texas Occupations Code section 1702.161, text (Public.Law); Texas Occupations Code section 1702.202, text (Public.Law); Texas Occupations Code section 1702.204, text (Public.Law).
Which areas of Houston carry elevated risk?
Lower-Risk Areas
- Galleria/Uptown: consolidated corporate and retail district, lower crime rates per HPD 2025.
- River Oaks: high-value residential, preferred for residential security deployments.
- Memorial: affluent residential corridor, low street crime.
Elevated-Risk Areas
- Downtown Houston at night (certain areas): HPD 2025 records elevated personal crime after dark.
- Third Ward: HPD 2025 notes elevated violent crime; outside standard corporate itineraries.
Deploying to Houston? Get a vetted close protection detail.
Request ConsultationWho do you call in an emergency in Houston?
Emergency services
911
Houston Police Department (non-emergency)
832-394-1313
Houston Methodist Hospital
713-790-3311
What travel advisories apply to Houston?
- FCDO advises normal precautions for the United States (2026); no travel restriction applies to Houston.
- IAH (George Bush Intercontinental) is approximately 37km north of Downtown; allow 40-55 minutes outside peak hours. HOU (Hobby) is approximately 19km south. Pre-book all airport transfers; do not use unlicensed kerbside drivers.
- Houston Methodist Hospital (713-790-3311) and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center (713-704-4000) are the principal acute-care facilities for international principals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston safe for executive and corporate travellers?
What close protection licensing applies in Texas?
What are the main security zones for executives in Houston?
What medical facilities are available for international executives in Houston?
This page is published by CloseProtectionHire.com and written to editorial standards overseen by James Calloway, Senior Security Consultant (regulation, licensing, vetting and risk frameworks) and Marcus Webb, Security Operations Adviser (operational close protection, secure transport and city-specific safety).
Threat, regulatory and emergency information is sourced to named, dated authorities such as the FCDO, the US State Department and national licensing bodies. Last updated . See how we verify.