El Segundo takes pride in being one of the safest cities in Southern California with the lowest crime rate of any non-gated community in the County and one of the highest numbers of police personnel per capita of any Southland city (4.5 officers per 1,000 residents). Emergency response is lightning fast, with dispatch less than one minute following a 911 call.

In recent years, the City of El Segundo has increased its commitment to public safety by investing in a state-of-the-art 911 system and its own 1040 AM radio bandwidth to broadcast emergency information.

In 2000, the fire department established the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and features one of the region's most advanced emergency preparedness plans. Thanks to an agreement it crafted with the developer of Campus El Segundo to receive a much-needed acre of land, the City plans to construct a brand new fire station on the eastside of town.