Is Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Safe in 2026?
Based on 989 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 0 shooting incidents, and 2,213 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Brooklyn Heights is below the Brooklyn average for crime with incidents trending upward (7% increase year-over-year).
Brooklyn Heights is considered much safer than average, ranking safer than 85% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 989 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 18, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
989
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
0
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
229
376 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 7%
7% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 234 | 23.7% |
| grand larceny | 144 | 14.6% |
| harrassment 2 | 142 | 14.4% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 63 | 6.4% |
| burglary | 61 | 6.2% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 57 | 5.8% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 50 | 5.1% |
| felony assault | 43 | 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
1,790
51.1 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
74
2.1 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
154
4.4 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
195
5.6 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
176
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
66
38% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
103
59% of total
How Safe Is Brooklyn Heights Compared to Other Brooklyn Neighborhoods?
Brooklyn Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor Terrace | 433 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 93% |
| Prospect Heights | 876 | 2 | Much Safer Than Average | 86% |
| Brooklyn Heights (this page) | 989 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 85% |
| Kensington | 1,100 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 83% |
| Brighton Beach | 1,272 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 80% |
| Midwood | 1,414 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 78% |
| Clinton Hill | 1,338 | 3 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Ditmas Park | 1,648 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Greenpoint | 1,925 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 70% |
| Marine Park | 1,908 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 70% |
| Park Slope | 2,290 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 64% |
| Bay Ridge | 3,295 | 0 | Average | 49% |
| Williamsburg | 3,515 | 1 | Average | 45% |
| Fort Greene | 3,321 | 6 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Sunset Park | 3,565 | 4 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Sheepshead Bay | 2,604 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| East Flatbush | 11,900 | 29 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Prospect Lefferts Gardens | 3,045 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Carroll Gardens | 3,958 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 38% |
| Canarsie | 3,962 | 12 | Higher Than Average | 38% |
| Flatbush | 4,068 | 7 | Higher Than Average | 36% |
| Bushwick | 8,439 | 12 | Higher Than Average | 34% |
| East New York | 13,735 | 27 | Higher Than Average | 28% |
| Crown Heights | 9,739 | 19 | Much Higher Than Average | 24% |
| Coney Island | 5,745 | 9 | Much Higher Than Average | 10% |
| Downtown Brooklyn | 6,295 | 4 | High Activity Area | 2% |
| Bed-Stuy | 13,299 | 28 | 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 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 "Much Safer Than Average" — Top 25% safest in the borough. Over the past 12 months, 989 crime incidents were recorded, including 0 shooting incidents. Brooklyn Heights is considered much safer than average, ranking safer than 85% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 989 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. PETIT LARCENY (234 incidents, 23.7% of total); 2. GRAND LARCENY (144 incidents, 14.6% of total); 3. HARRASSMENT 2 (142 incidents, 14.4% of total).
Is Brooklyn Heights safer than the Brooklyn average?
Brooklyn Heights is safer than 85% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. It had 69% fewer incidents than the borough average (989 vs. a borough average of 3,200).
How has crime changed in Brooklyn Heights?
Crime in Brooklyn Heights has worsened by 7% year-over-year, rising from 924 to 989 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Brooklyn Heights?
311 data shows 1,790 Very High complaints, 74 Low complaints, and 154 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 28% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Brooklyn Heights recorded 0 shooting incidents 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 1,790 noise complaints (very high for Brooklyn) and 74 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 85% 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 85th percentile with 989 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.
Can you walk around Brooklyn Heights at night?
Brooklyn Heights is classified as "Much Safer Than Average" by NYPD CompStat data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 0 shooting incidents and 989 total crime incidents — 69% 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 Brooklyn Heights dangerous?
By NYPD data, Brooklyn Heights is rated "Much Safer Than Average" — safer than 85% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. 989 crime incidents over 12 months, worsened by 7% year-over-year, rising from 924 to 989 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 Brooklyn Heights 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 Brooklyn Heights a good place to live?
Brooklyn Heights scores in the 85th percentile for safety in Brooklyn. Brooklyn Heights is considered much safer than average, ranking safer than 85% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 989 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 Brooklyn Heights to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
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