Is Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Safe in 2026?
Based on 4,792 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 141 shooting incidents, and 8,126 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Downtown Brooklyn is above the Brooklyn average for crime with incidents trending upward (201% increase year-over-year).
Downtown Brooklyn is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 25% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 4,792 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
4,792
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
141
23 fatal
Violent Crimes
870
1,469 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 201%
201% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 1,160 | 24.2% |
| harrassment 2 | 706 | 14.7% |
| grand larceny | 414 | 8.6% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 398 | 8.3% |
| felony assault | 291 | 6.1% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 210 | 4.4% |
| other offenses related to theft | 207 | 4.3% |
| miscellaneous penal law | 176 | 3.7% |
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
7,026
200.7 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
72
2.1 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
1,028
29.4 per 1,000 residents
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
3,860
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
1,600
41% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
2,033
53% of total
How Safe Is Downtown Brooklyn 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 | 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 (this page) | 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 Downtown Brooklyn.
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 Downtown Brooklyn 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 Downtown Brooklyn Safety
Is Downtown Brooklyn safe?
Downtown Brooklyn is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 4,792 crime incidents were recorded, including 141 shooting incidents. Downtown Brooklyn is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 25% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 4,792 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Downtown Brooklyn?
The most common crimes in Downtown Brooklyn are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (1,160 incidents, 24.2% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (706 incidents, 14.7% of total); 3. GRAND LARCENY (414 incidents, 8.6% of total).
Is Downtown Brooklyn safer than the Brooklyn average?
Downtown Brooklyn is safer than 25% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. It had 50% more incidents than the borough average (4,792 vs. a borough average of 3,200).
How has crime changed in Downtown Brooklyn?
Crime in Downtown Brooklyn has worsened by 201% year-over-year, rising from 1,592 to 4,792 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Downtown Brooklyn?
311 data shows 7,026 Very High complaints, 72 Low complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Downtown Brooklyn safe at night?
Night safety in Downtown Brooklyn varies by block. About 20.8% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Downtown Brooklyn recorded 141 shooting incidents (23 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Downtown Brooklyn safe for families?
For families considering Downtown Brooklyn: the neighborhood recorded 7,026 noise complaints (very high for Brooklyn) and 72 rodent reports. It ranks in the 25th percentile for safety in Brooklyn. 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. Downtown Brooklyn ranks at the 25th percentile with 4,792 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 Downtown Brooklyn
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Downtown Brooklyn.
Search an Address in Downtown Brooklyn