Cambridge traces back to December 1630, when Massachusetts Bay Colony leaders set out to build a fortified new town across the Charles River from Boston. Within six years the settlement had a college — Harvard, founded in 1636 — and by 1775 it was where the Continental Army mustered at the start of the Siege of Boston. That layered history is still visible in how Cambridge is laid out today: a chain of named commercial squares (Harvard, Central, Kendall, Porter, Inman) packed into a city of only about 6.4 square miles.
By Derek Kreymer, Operations Manager
Hub Security and Investigative Group provides security guard services in Cambridge, MA — armed and unarmed guards, mobile patrol, and licensed private investigation services — for a Middlesex County city of 118,796 residents (2024 Census Bureau estimate) directly across the Charles River from Boston. Cambridge is home to Harvard University, MIT, and the Kendall Square biotech corridor, which includes major employers like Biogen, Moderna, and Sanofi’s Genzyme division.
Security Built Around Cambridge’s Squares
Cambridge doesn’t divide into conventional suburban neighborhoods so much as a set of named commercial squares, each with its own security profile.
- Kendall Square — the city’s biotech and tech research hub, home to Biogen, Moderna, and MIT’s research campus; coverage here typically runs through our corporate security services.
- Harvard Square — Cambridge’s busiest retail and tourist district, bordering Harvard Yard; guards here work primarily through retail security services.
- Central Square — a dense mixed commercial and residential corridor along Massachusetts Avenue, covered through both retail and residential security guard services.
- East Cambridge — includes ongoing redevelopment near Lechmere, covered through construction site security.
What Local Crime Data Actually Shows
According to NeighborhoodScout’s analysis of FBI-reported crime data, Cambridge’s violent crime rate runs about 4 per 1,000 residents and its property crime rate about 33 per 1,000 residents — both above the Massachusetts state averages of 3.15 and 11.12 per 1,000. NeighborhoodScout ranks Cambridge as safer than roughly 4% of U.S. cities it scores.
Property crime, not violent crime, is the larger factor behind that ranking — a pattern common in dense, high-foot-traffic university and biotech cities where theft and break-ins outnumber violent incidents. For property managers and business owners in Cambridge, that points toward visible deterrence and monitored access as the more relevant coverage priorities.
Coverage by Square
| Square | Key Local Features | Hub Security Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Kendall Square | Biotech/tech research campuses, MIT | Corporate security, access control |
| Harvard Square | Retail, tourism, Harvard Yard | Retail security, foot patrol |
| Central Square | Mixed retail and residential | Retail and residential security |
| East Cambridge / Lechmere | Redevelopment, construction | Construction site security |
What Hub Security Provides in Cambridge
- Armed security guards for high-value biotech and commercial properties
- Unarmed security guards for retail, residential, and campus-adjacent properties
- Mobile patrol security across Cambridge’s commercial squares
- Corporate security services for Kendall Square offices and labs
- Background check services for hiring and tenant screening
- Licensed corporate investigations for Cambridge businesses
Serving Cambridge and the Surrounding Area
Cambridge sits directly across the Charles River from Boston in the heart of Middlesex County, and Hub Security’s coverage extends to the surrounding inner-suburb communities that share its dense, university- and lab-driven layout.
- Our coverage in Somerville
- Our coverage in Boston
- Our coverage in Arlington
- Our coverage in Watertown
Why Cambridge Businesses and Residents Choose Hub
- Massachusetts-licensed for both security guard and private investigation services
- Fully insured, with background-checked and trained officers
- GPS patrol tracking and unannounced supervisor inspections
- Local management that knows Cambridge — not a national call center or app-based broker
- 24/7 emergency dispatch at (617) 857-1200
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hub Security provide armed guards in Cambridge, MA? Yes. Hub Security provides both armed and unarmed guards in Cambridge, matched to the property type and risk level, including biotech labs, corporate offices, and residential buildings.
What does Cambridge’s crime data mean for security planning? NeighborhoodScout data shows Cambridge’s property crime rate running well above the Massachusetts average, while violent crime is comparatively closer to the state average. That mix typically calls for visible patrol presence and access control rather than armed response as the primary focus.
Is Hub Security licensed for private investigation work in Cambridge? Yes. Hub Security and Investigative Group is Massachusetts-licensed for private investigation services, including corporate investigations and background checks, in addition to security guard services.
How fast can Hub Security respond to an emergency in Cambridge? Hub Security maintains 24/7 emergency dispatch at (617) 857-1200 for clients across Cambridge and the surrounding Middlesex County communities.
Call Hub Security & Investigative Group at (617) 857-1200 for a free consultation on security guard services in Cambridge, MA, or request a quote online.