Is Melrose, Bronx Safe in 2026?
Based on 7,276 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 8 shooting incidents, and 7,165 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Melrose is above the Bronx average for crime with incidents trending upward (6.9% increase year-over-year).
Melrose is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 4% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 7,276 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers December 2024 – December 2025 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated April 26, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
7,276
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
8
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
1,154
2,246 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 6.9%
6.9% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 1,019 | 14.0% |
| harrassment 2 | 967 | 13.3% |
| other offenses related to theft | 941 | 12.9% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 675 | 9.3% |
| dangerous drugs | 479 | 6.6% |
| felony assault | 479 | 6.6% |
| grand larceny | 404 | 5.6% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 351 | 4.8% |
Severity Distribution
Where Crimes Occur
Quality of Life Indicators
311 complaints reveal patterns about daily quality of life that crime statistics alone do not capture. These are resident-reported issues from the past 12 months.
Noise Complaints
3,524
100.7 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
145
4.1 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
366
10.5 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Heat/Hot Water
3,130
89.4 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Arrest Activity
Arrest data reflects law enforcement activity in the area. High arrest counts relative to crime can indicate active policing; low counts may reflect under-enforcement or lower crime.
Total Arrests
4,422
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
1,766
40% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
2,624
59% of total
How Safe Is Melrose Compared to Other Bronx Neighborhoods?
Bronx Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelham Bay | 1,291 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 83% |
| Riverdale | 1,573 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 79% |
| Morris Park | 1,772 | 3 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Parkchester | 1,396 | 3 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Co-op City | 1,420 | 4 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Pelham Parkway | 2,437 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 68% |
| Castle Hill | 2,776 | 4 | Safer Than Average | 63% |
| Throgs Neck | 2,819 | 4 | Safer Than Average | 63% |
| Bedford Park | 3,910 | 1 | Average | 49% |
| Fordham | 3,391 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| University Heights | 7,428 | 18 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Kingsbridge | 3,767 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Hunts Point | 3,676 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Belmont | 3,584 | 10 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Eastchester | 3,924 | 9 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Highbridge | 2,617 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Soundview | 7,828 | 23 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Norwood | 2,847 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Mount Eden | 10,252 | 24 | Higher Than Average | 33% |
| Concourse | 7,020 | 10 | High Activity Area | 8% |
| Melrose (this page) | 7,276 | 8 | High Activity Area | 4% |
| Mott Haven | 7,701 | 20 | High Activity Area | 0% |
Understanding This Data
All crime statistics on this page are sourced directly from the NYPD CompStat database via NYC Open Data. Incidents are mapped to neighborhood boundaries using the NYC Department of City Planning Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (NTAs) — the same geographic units used in official census reporting. Each safety score reflects the cumulative activity within the NTA boundaries assigned to Melrose.
NTA boundaries are drawn to maintain population comparability across census tracts, which means they may not perfectly align with what residents consider their "neighborhood." In some cases, a single NTA spans areas with different character. The percentile ranking compares Melrose only against other NTAs within Bronx, so scores are borough-relative rather than city-wide.
Safety conditions vary significantly block by block. Neighborhood-level statistics provide important context but should not substitute for address-level research. Use DwellCheck to analyze a specific address and understand the precise safety environment within walking distance of where you plan to live.
Frequently Asked Questions about Melrose Safety
Is Melrose safe?
Melrose is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 7,276 crime incidents were recorded, including 8 shooting incidents. Melrose is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 4% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 7,276 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Melrose?
The most common crimes in Melrose are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (1,019 incidents, 14% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (967 incidents, 13.3% of total); 3. OTHER OFFENSES RELATED TO THEFT (941 incidents, 12.9% of total).
Is Melrose safer than the Bronx average?
Melrose is safer than 4% of Bronx neighborhoods. It had 91% more incidents than the borough average (7,276 vs. a borough average of 3,800).
How has crime changed in Melrose?
Crime in Melrose has worsened by 6.9% year-over-year, rising from 6,805 to 7,276 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Melrose?
311 data shows 3,524 Very High complaints, 145 Low complaints, and 366 Moderate complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Melrose safe at night?
Night safety in Melrose varies by block. About 27.5% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Melrose recorded 8 shooting incidents in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Melrose safe for families?
For families considering Melrose: the neighborhood recorded 3,524 noise complaints (very high for Bronx) and 145 rodent reports. It ranks in the 4th percentile for safety in Bronx. Family-friendliness also depends on schools, parks, and building quality — use DwellCheck to evaluate a specific address.
What is the safest neighborhood in Bronx?
Safety varies across Bronx neighborhoods. Melrose ranks at the 4th percentile with 7,276 incidents. Compare all Bronx neighborhoods in the comparison table above to see how each ranks by total crime, shootings, and borough percentile. All data is sourced from NYPD CompStat.
Can you walk around Melrose at night?
Melrose is classified as "High Activity Area" by NYPD CompStat data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 8 shooting incidents and 7,276 total crime incidents — 91% more incidents than the borough average. Walking at night carries the same risk profile as anywhere in NYC: stay on commercial corridors with foot traffic, avoid empty side streets after midnight, and prefer subway lines that run 24/7.
Is Melrose dangerous?
By NYPD data, Melrose is rated "High Activity Area" — safer than 4% of Bronx neighborhoods. 7,276 crime incidents over 12 months, worsened by 6.9% year-over-year, rising from 6,805 to 7,276 incidents. Block-level risk varies; check our address-level safety score for any specific street or building to weight NYPD incidents within a 250-meter radius.
What parts of Melrose should I avoid?
NYPD CompStat reports incidents at the precinct level, not block-by-block, so a granular "avoid this street" answer isn't possible from public data alone. The most reliable signal at the block level is DwellCheck's address-level safety score, which weights NYPD incidents within a 250m radius of a specific building. As a general rule across all NYC neighborhoods: industrial blocks with no foot traffic are higher-risk than residential blocks; subway-station-adjacent commercial corridors are lowest-risk.
Is Melrose a good place to live?
Melrose scores in the 4th percentile for safety in Bronx. Melrose is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 4% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 7,276 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months. Whether it's a good fit depends on what you weight: families, solo renters, and remote workers prioritize different factors (noise, transit access, parks, building quality). Use DwellCheck's full livability page for Melrose to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in Melrose
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Melrose.
Search an Address in Melrose