Is Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Safe in 2026?
Based on 2,996 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 230 shooting incidents, and 7,076 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Brooklyn Heights is below the Brooklyn average for crime with incidents trending upward (197.2% increase year-over-year).
Brooklyn Heights is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 53% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 2,996 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers March 2025 – March 2026 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated March 31, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
2,996
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
230
38 fatal
Violent Crimes
397
1,018 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 197.2%
197.2% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 434 | 14.5% |
| petit larceny | 409 | 13.7% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 258 | 8.6% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 221 | 7.4% |
| dangerous drugs | 219 | 7.3% |
| grand larceny | 210 | 7.0% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 202 | 6.7% |
| felony assault | 128 | 4.3% |
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
5,598
159.9 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
335
9.6 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
1,143
32.7 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
2,086
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
806
39% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
1,242
60% of total
How Safe Is Brooklyn Heights Compared to Other Brooklyn Neighborhoods?
Brooklyn Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Greene | 325 | 3 | Average | 95% |
| Williamsburg | 3,488 | 144 | High Activity Area | 73% |
| DUMBO | 1,741 | 30 | High Activity Area | 73% |
| Prospect Heights | 2,279 | 328 | High Activity Area | 64% |
| Park Slope | 2,360 | 267 | High Activity Area | 63% |
| Crown Heights | 5,282 | 789 | High Activity Area | 59% |
| Brooklyn Heights (this page) | 2,996 | 230 | High Activity Area | 53% |
| Bushwick | 6,528 | 530 | High Activity Area | 49% |
| Greenpoint | 6,634 | 854 | High Activity Area | 48% |
| Downtown Brooklyn | 4,792 | 141 | High Activity Area | 25% |
| Bed-Stuy | 10,071 | 1898 | High Activity Area | 21% |
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 Brooklyn Heights.
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 Brooklyn Heights only against other NTAs within Brooklyn, 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 Brooklyn Heights Safety
Is Brooklyn Heights safe?
Brooklyn Heights is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 2,996 crime incidents were recorded, including 230 shooting incidents. Brooklyn Heights is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 53% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 2,996 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Brooklyn Heights?
The most common crimes in Brooklyn Heights are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (434 incidents, 14.5% of total); 2. PETIT LARCENY (409 incidents, 13.7% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (258 incidents, 8.6% of total).
Is Brooklyn Heights safer than the Brooklyn average?
Brooklyn Heights is safer than 53% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. It had 6% fewer incidents than the borough average (2,996 vs. a borough average of 3,200).
How has crime changed in Brooklyn Heights?
Crime in Brooklyn Heights has worsened by 197.2% year-over-year, rising from 1,008 to 2,996 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Brooklyn Heights?
311 data shows 5,598 Very High complaints, 335 Moderate complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Brooklyn Heights safe at night?
Night safety in Brooklyn Heights varies by block. About 31.9% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Brooklyn Heights recorded 230 shooting incidents (38 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Brooklyn Heights safe for families?
For families considering Brooklyn Heights: the neighborhood recorded 5,598 noise complaints (very high for Brooklyn) and 335 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 53% of Brooklyn neighborhoods, which is above average. 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. Brooklyn Heights ranks at the 53th percentile with 2,996 incidents. Compare all Brooklyn 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.
Check a Specific Address in Brooklyn Heights
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Brooklyn Heights.
Search an Address in Brooklyn Heights