Is Bay Ridge, Brooklyn Safe? Crime Rate & NYPD Data (2026)
Bay Ridge has a lower crime rate per resident than 72% of Brooklyn neighborhoods, or 37.8 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. Measured per resident, it sits on the safer half of Brooklyn. DwellCheck rates it "Safer Than Average" — top 45% safest in the borough — from 3,279 NYPD complaint records and 0 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (3,417 vs 3,279). Safety varies block by block, so read this as neighborhood context rather than a verdict on any single street.
Over the same 12 months, 311 logged 8,693 quality-of-life complaints in Bay Ridge. Bay Ridge is considered safer than average, with a lower crime rate per resident than 72% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. Incident levels are stable with 3,279 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers June 2025 – June 2026 (12 months) · Source: NYPD Complaint, Shooting & Arrest Data and NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated September 14, 2026
What Is the Crime Rate in Bay Ridge?
Bay Ridge recorded 3,279 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (86,779 residents) that is 37.8 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is a lower crime rate per resident than 72% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. Of those, 1,006 were felonies and 144 were violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery or felony assault). Crimes are counted where they were reported, so commercial and nightlife blocks push the rate up in districts with few residents.
Bay Ridge Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
3,279
Past 12 months · 37.8 per 1,000 residents
Shooting Incidents
0
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
144
Murder, rape, robbery, felony assault
Year-over-Year Trend
↔ 4%
No significant change
* Borough rate: the borough's count per resident across the neighborhoods we track, applied to this neighborhood's 86,779 residents (2020 Census).
Most Common Crimes in Bay Ridge
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 579 | 17.7% |
| harrassment 2 | 463 | 14.1% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 334 | 10.2% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 332 | 10.1% |
| grand larceny | 244 | 7.4% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 198 | 6.0% |
| miscellaneous penal law | 133 | 4.1% |
| dangerous drugs | 126 | 3.8% |
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. Rates use the 2020 Census population (86,779 residents). Labels compare each rate with the other NYC neighborhoods we track: Low is the bottom quarter, Moderate the middle half, High the next 15%, and Very High the top 10%.
Noise Complaints
4,194
48.3 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Rodent Reports
339
3.9 per 1,000 residents
High
Sanitation Issues
596
6.9 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Heat/Hot Water
3,564
41.1 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
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
1,840
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
697
38% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
1,124
61% of total
How Safe Is Bay Ridge Compared to Other Brooklyn Neighborhoods?
Brooklyn Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Per 1,000 Residents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borough Park | 1,399 | 14.9 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 100% |
| Windsor Terrace | 384 | 16.3 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 97% |
| Kensington | 1,048 | 25.1 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 94% |
| Dyker Heights | 1,206 | 25.8 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 92% |
| Midwood | 1,489 | 28.2 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 89% |
| Bensonhurst | 3,309 | 31.5 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 86% |
| Gravesend | 4,874 | 33.9 | 6 | Higher Than Average | 83% |
| Prospect Heights | 816 | 34.7 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 81% |
| Sheepshead Bay | 2,435 | 35.2 | 7 | Higher Than Average | 78% |
| Brooklyn Heights | 909 | 36.2 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 75% |
| Bay Ridge (this page) | 3,279 | 37.8 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 72% |
| Ditmas Park | 1,633 | 38 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 69% |
| Marine Park | 1,875 | 39.9 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 67% |
| Clinton Hill | 1,149 | 40.1 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 64% |
| Brighton Beach | 1,400 | 41.7 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 61% |
| Greenpoint | 1,714 | 44 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 58% |
| Bath Beach | 1,598 | 48.3 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 56% |
| Canarsie | 4,361 | 48.5 | 4 | Average | 53% |
| Flatlands | 3,268 | 48.7 | 3 | Average | 50% |
| Park Slope | 2,806 | 48.9 | 2 | Average | 47% |
| Cypress Hills | 2,378 | 55 | 9 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Williamsburg | 3,619 | 56.2 | 2 | Higher Than Average | 42% |
| Prospect Lefferts Gardens | 3,093 | 62.5 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 39% |
| Flatbush | 4,256 | 64 | 7 | Higher Than Average | 36% |
| Carroll Gardens | 3,893 | 65.8 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 33% |
| Sunset Park | 3,719 | 68.3 | 8 | Higher Than Average | 31% |
| Bushwick | 8,494 | 70.3 | 6 | Higher Than Average | 28% |
| East Flatbush | 11,757 | 71.7 | 19 | Higher Than Average | 25% |
| Crown Heights | 9,905 | 72.9 | 22 | Much Higher Than Average | 22% |
| Bed-Stuy | 13,309 | 76.6 | 24 | Much Higher Than Average | 19% |
| Fort Greene | 3,170 | 96.2 | 3 | Much Higher Than Average | 17% |
| East New York | 14,110 | 99.8 | 28 | Much Higher Than Average | 14% |
| Starrett City | 1,749 | 102.7 | 3 | Much Higher Than Average | 11% |
| Coney Island | 5,510 | 111.3 | 9 | High Activity Area | 8% |
| Brownsville | 7,041 | 116.4 | 17 | High Activity Area | 6% |
| Ocean Hill | 4,506 | 118.7 | 10 | High Activity Area | 3% |
| Downtown Brooklyn | 6,502 | 158.7 | 4 | High Activity Area | 0% |
Understanding This Data
All crime statistics on this page come from NYPD Complaint Data, Shooting Incident Data and Arrest Data published on NYC Open Data, refreshed periodically. 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 Bay Ridge.
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 Bay Ridge's reported crimes per resident (its NTAs' 2020 Census population, 86,779) only against the other neighborhoods we track in Brooklyn, so it is borough-relative rather than city-wide. Crimes are counted where they were reported, so commercial and nightlife districts with few residents rank high. The borough averages on this page apply the borough's crimes per resident to Bay Ridge's population.
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 Bay Ridge Safety
Is Bay Ridge safe?
Bay Ridge has a lower crime rate per resident than 72% of Brooklyn neighborhoods, or 37.8 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. Measured per resident, it sits on the safer half of Brooklyn. DwellCheck rates it "Safer Than Average" — top 45% safest in the borough — from 3,279 NYPD complaint records and 0 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (3,417 vs 3,279). Safety varies block by block, so read this as neighborhood context rather than a verdict on any single street.
What is the crime rate in Bay Ridge?
Bay Ridge recorded 3,279 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (86,779 residents) that is 37.8 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is a lower crime rate per resident than 72% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. Of those, 1,006 were felonies and 144 were violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery or felony assault). Crimes are counted where they were reported, so commercial and nightlife blocks push the rate up in districts with few residents.
What are the most common crimes in Bay Ridge?
The most common crimes in Bay Ridge are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (579 incidents, 17.7% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (463 incidents, 14.1% of total); 3. VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAWS (334 incidents, 10.2% of total).
Is Bay Ridge safer than the Brooklyn average?
Bay Ridge has a lower crime rate per resident than 72% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. It had 37% fewer incidents than the borough average (3,279 vs. a borough average of 5,214 for a neighborhood of the same population, 86,779 residents in the 2020 Census). That is 37.8 reported crimes per 1,000 residents.
How has crime changed in Bay Ridge?
Crime in Bay Ridge has remained stable year-over-year (3,417 vs 3,279 incidents). The trend is classified as "stable."
What do 311 complaints say about Bay Ridge?
Over the past 12 months, 311 recorded 4,194 noise complaints (moderate per resident), 339 rodent complaints (high) and 596 sanitation complaints (moderate). Each label compares the rate per resident (2020 Census) with the other NYC neighborhoods we track. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Bay Ridge safe at night?
Night safety in Bay Ridge varies by block. About 46% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Bay Ridge recorded 0 shooting incidents in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Bay Ridge safe for families?
For families considering Bay Ridge: the neighborhood recorded 4,194 noise complaints (moderate per resident among the NYC neighborhoods we track) and 339 rodent reports. It has a lower crime rate per resident than 72% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. Family-friendliness also depends on schools, parks, and building quality — use DwellCheck to evaluate a specific address.
What is the safest neighborhood in Brooklyn?
Safety varies across Brooklyn neighborhoods. Bay Ridge has a lower crime rate per resident than 72% of Brooklyn neighborhoods, with 3,279 incidents. Compare all Brooklyn neighborhoods in the comparison table above to see each one's crimes per 1,000 residents, shootings, and borough percentile. Crime data is NYPD Complaint Data via NYC Open Data.
Can you walk around Bay Ridge at night?
Bay Ridge is classified as "Safer Than Average" by NYPD complaint data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 0 shooting incidents and 3,279 total crime incidents — 37% fewer 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 Bay Ridge dangerous?
By NYPD data, Bay Ridge is rated "Safer Than Average", with a lower crime rate per resident than 72% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. 3,279 crime incidents over 12 months, remained stable year-over-year (3,417 vs 3,279 incidents). Block-level risk varies; check our address-level safety score for any specific street or building, which counts NYPD complaints within a 300-meter radius.
What parts of Bay Ridge should I avoid?
NYPD complaint records carry approximate incident coordinates, but a neighborhood total can't tell you which blocks drive it, so we don't publish an "avoid this street" list. For a specific block, use DwellCheck's address-level safety score, which counts NYPD complaint records within a 300m 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 Bay Ridge a good place to live?
Bay Ridge is considered safer than average, with a lower crime rate per resident than 72% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. Incident levels are stable with 3,279 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 Bay Ridge to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in Bay Ridge
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Bay Ridge.
Search an Address in Bay RidgeCompare Bay Ridge with Nearby Brooklyn Crime Rates
The Brooklyn neighborhoods whose crime rate per resident is closest to Bay Ridge's.