The Boston City Council Committee on Government Operations, chaired by Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, held a hearing on Docket #1541, an ordinance establishing minimum training requirements for unarmed security guards in Boston. The hearing began at 10:18 AM and included two expert panels, public testimony, and extensive discussion among councilors. The ordinance would mandate 40 hours of initial training (within 90 days for new guards, 180 days for existing guards) and 8 hours annually, with training provided by city-certified nonprofit programs paid for by employers.
First Panel – Industry Representatives:
Second Panel – Union and Security Officers:
Councilors’ Questions and Discussion:
Good morning, everybody. Happy to be here for the record. My name is Gabriela Coletta Zapata, District One City Councilor, and I'm the chair of the Boston City Council Committee on government operations. Today is September 17th, 2026. The exact time is ten eighteen AM. This hearing is being recorded.gov forward slash city dash council dash TV and broadcast on Xfinity Channel Eight, RCN Channel 82, and Files Channel 964. Written comments may be sent to the committee email at CCC.gov and will be made a part of the record and available to all counselors. Public testimony will be taken at the end of this hearing. If you are interested in testifying in person, please add your name to the sign-up sheet near the entrance of the chamber. If you are looking to testify virtually, please email our central staff liaison Megan at M E A G A N.gov for the link, and your name will be added to the list. Today's hearing is on Docket One Five Four One, an ordinance establishing minimum training training requirements for unarmed security guards. They are often the first to respond when someone is experiencing a medical emergency, a mental health crisis, and other urgent situations. They also regularly work with individuals battling homelessness and substance use disorders. I was a security guard myself, and the only kind of training I received was on my first day when I was chaperoned by someone. After that, I was left on my own to handle any type of situation that might come up. Despite all the important responsibilities that came up, there are currently no training requirements for unarmed security guards in Boston at the state or local level. These professionals are expected to make quick decisions, de-escalate conflicts, and respond to our emergencies. Yet many have not received any training to prepare them for these situations and might have only been in the job for a few weeks. Establishing these training standards is about investing in both worker safety and public safety. I appreciate the concerns I have heard from many stakeholders in the community as well as from business owners regarding the current language of this ordinance. This hearing provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to share their feedback. We want to ensure that everyone is included in these conversations and that we are aligned as we move forward. Our goal is to pass legislation that is appropriate for this moment and reflects the needs and concerns of our community. I understand and appreciate the objections that I that I have heard about the timeline and roadmap towards the implementation, along with what some of you shared on how you can conduct your training from for your own security personnel. I am looking forward to the discussion today and um try chatting a path, seeing a path forward by investing in the people who are often the first to respond. We are investing in safer workspaces and a safer Boston for everyone. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Santana. Councilor Flynn, you now have the floor. Thank you, madam chair, and thank you to the panel for being here for the public testimony that we're going to hear from as well. Um before before I begin, and I'll I'll just have very brief comments. Um I am going to be leaving this meeting in a few minutes. Um but hopefully I'm back by 11 30. I do have an appointment that I do have to make. Um but it is my plan to be back by 11 30 for the remainder of the meeting. Um but what I wanted to highlight in my opening statement is the important role security, unarmed security guards play in our city. Yes, we need training. We need to support support them, but we also need to support a lot of small businesses, security businesses that hire a lot of people, especially businesses owned by people of color as well. My challenge or goal is to see how we're able to work together for language in this document that supports a compromise and ensures that we provide the necessary training uh for unarmed security guards, but also to support companies that play a critical role in our city, especially the importance of companies owned by people of color. They have to be respected as well. Uh Mr. Chair Madam Chair, thank you very much. Thank you. We've been joined by Counselor Um Aaron Murphy. Councilor Murphy, would you like any remarks? Yeah, just happy to be here. Part of the conversation, like Council Flynn was just saying, it's a balance. We want to make sure anyone who is in these roles, important roles, have the training they need, but at the same time, we have to make sure that we're listening to those who you know employ them and train them the way, you know. So just it's a balance, and I'm here to listen and get all the information I can to make sure the language is right. Thank you.