Public Safety

The mission of the Somerville Housing Authority’s Public Safety Department is to help residents maintain a safe and secure living environment. The department is located at 35 Memorial Road in Somerville, Massachusetts.

SHA typically has one or two Public Safety Officers on duty each weekday, with officer(s) available from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

SHA Public Safety works closely with the Somerville Police Department to support resident safety.

• Emergency or crime in progress: Call 911
• Non-emergency police assistance (any time): Residents are advised to call 617-625-1212. The Somerville Police Department will dispatch the appropriate response.

Some SHA buildings have public areas under continuous video monitoring. Live and archived footage may be reviewed by security and management staff and, when appropriate, may be provided to law enforcement.

Report Safety Concerns

If you notice ongoing safety concerns in your building, such as vandalism, unauthorized individuals in hallways, or suspected drug activity, please report it. You can contact your Housing Manager, a SHA Public Safety Officer, or submit a tip directly to the Somerville Police Department.

Residents may submit information through the SPD Online Crime Tip Form, which allows individuals to anonymously share details about suspicious activity.

Get Involved

Resident involvement is one of the most effective deterrents to crime. When neighbors look out for one another and communicate with management and law enforcement, communities become safer.

You do not need to confront suspicious individuals. Instead, help keep your community safe by staying aware of your surroundings and reporting concerns to the proper authorities.

Public Safety Questions

Residents may contact SHA with questions about parking, security, crime prevention, fire safety, or emergency preparedness. For more information, please visit the SHA Policies page.

How to file a Complaint or Commendation to the Somerville Housing Authority Public Safety Department

We value your input. Please complete the form below if you would like to commend our Officers or file a complaint. We appreciate hearing when an Officer has done well, but it is of critical importance that we are also informed if you've had a negative encounter with one of our Officers and wish to file a complaint. 

Steps to File a Public Safety Complaint

1. Obtain the Complaint Form: The SHA Public Safety Complaint and Commendation form is available at the link(s) below (link to the attached translated forms). You may access a hardcopy of the form in the lobby of the SHA Administration Office at 30 Memorial Road, Somerville, MA 02145.
   • SHA Public Safety Complaint-Commendation Form (English)
   • SHA Public Safety Complaint-Commendation Form (Haitian Creole)
   • SHA Public Safety Complaint-Commendation Form (Spanish)
   • SHA Public Safety Complaint-Commendation Form (Portuguese)
2. Complete the Form: Fill out the form with detailed information about the incident, including dates, times, locations, and names of parties involved.
3. Submit the Complaint/Thank You: You can submit the completed form in person or by mail to the SHA Administration Office at 30 Memorial Road, Somerville, MA 02145. You may email a copy to Executive Director Diane Cohen at DianeC@sha-web.org.
   If you need assistance, you may call (617) 625-1152 or speak to a staff member at the SHA Administration Office.
4. Follow-Up: After submission, the SHA will review your complaint/commendation in accordance with their established procedures. You may be contacted for additional information or to discuss the matter further.​