# Security in Houston, United States Canonical page: https://closeprotectionhire.com/cities/houston/ Executive protection and close protection in Houston, United States. Texas DPS-licensed operators covering the Galleria, River Oaks, and Memorial for corporate principals. ## Threats - **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). ## Regulations - **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. - **Firearms**: 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). - **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 2026-10-06: - [Texas DPS, private security laws and regulations](https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/private-security/laws-and-regulations) - [Texas Occupations Code section 1702.001, text (Public.Law)](https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._occ._code_section_1702.001) - [Texas Occupations Code section 1702.161, text (Public.Law)](https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._occ._code_section_1702.161) - [Texas Occupations Code section 1702.202, text (Public.Law)](https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._occ._code_section_1702.202) - [Texas Occupations Code section 1702.204, text (Public.Law)](https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._occ._code_section_1702.204) ## Zones 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. ## Emergency contacts - Emergency services: 911 - Houston Police Department (non-emergency): 832-394-1313 - Houston Methodist Hospital: 713-790-3311 ## Warnings - 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. 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](/executive-protection/houston/) cover the Galleria, Downtown, Greenway Plaza, and the Texas Medical Center. [Vetted security drivers in Houston](/security-drivers/houston/) cover IAH and HOU airport arrivals and metropolitan transfers. For regional context, see our briefing for [Chicago](/cities/chicago/). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Houston safe for executive and corporate travellers? Houston presents a moderate risk profile with significant neighbourhood variation. The Galleria, River Oaks, and Memorial districts record lower crime rates, while HPD Crime Report 2025 documents elevated violent crime in parts of Downtown at night and the Third Ward. The FCDO advises normal precautions for the United States (2026). Energy-sector executives may carry specific risk profiles requiring individual assessment. ### What close protection licensing applies in Texas? Texas private security is regulated under the Private Security Act (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1702), administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). All operators must hold a current Texas DPS licence. Armed operators need a DPS security officer commission, and an officer who protects a person while armed also needs a personal protection officer licence. ### What are the main security zones for executives in Houston? The Galleria/Uptown, River Oaks, and Memorial form the standard lower-risk corporate and residential footprint. HPD Crime Report 2025 cites parts of Downtown Houston at night and the Third Ward as elevated. Houston is geographically dispersed, so route planning between districts is a consistent operational consideration. ### What medical facilities are available for international executives in Houston? Houston Methodist Hospital (713-790-3311) and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center (713-704-4000), both within the Texas Medical Center, are leading acute-care facilities. The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex in the world by number of institutions. Medical evacuation coordination should be confirmed with your travel insurance provider before departure.