Is Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Safe? Crime Rate & NYPD Data (2026)
Downtown Brooklyn has the highest crime rate per resident of the 37 Brooklyn neighborhoods we track, or 158.7 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. DwellCheck rates it "High Activity Area" — among the highest activity areas — from 6,502 NYPD complaint records and 4 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (6,374 vs 6,502). 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 9,027 quality-of-life complaints in Downtown Brooklyn. Downtown Brooklyn is considered a high-activity area, with the highest crime rate per resident of the 37 Brooklyn neighborhoods we track. Incident levels are stable with 6,502 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 Downtown Brooklyn?
Downtown Brooklyn recorded 6,502 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (40,968 residents) that is 158.7 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is the highest crime rate per resident of the 37 Brooklyn neighborhoods we track. Of those, 1,921 were felonies and 571 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.
Downtown Brooklyn Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
6,502
Past 12 months · 158.7 per 1,000 residents
Shooting Incidents
4
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
571
Murder, rape, robbery, felony assault
Year-over-Year Trend
↔ 2%
No significant change
* Borough rate: the borough's count per resident across the neighborhoods we track, applied to this neighborhood's 40,968 residents (2020 Census).
Most Common Crimes in Downtown Brooklyn
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 1,439 | 22.1% |
| harrassment 2 | 920 | 14.1% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 519 | 8.0% |
| grand larceny | 516 | 7.9% |
| felony assault | 378 | 5.8% |
| other offenses related to theft | 377 | 5.8% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 275 | 4.2% |
| administrative code | 274 | 4.2% |
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 (40,968 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
7,488
182.8 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
65
1.6 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
349
8.5 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Heat/Hot Water
1,125
27.5 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
4,253
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
1,703
40% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
2,276
54% of total
How Safe Is Downtown Brooklyn 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 | 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 (this page) | 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 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's reported crimes per resident (its NTAs' 2020 Census population, 40,968) 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 Downtown Brooklyn'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 Downtown Brooklyn Safety
Is Downtown Brooklyn safe?
Downtown Brooklyn has the highest crime rate per resident of the 37 Brooklyn neighborhoods we track, or 158.7 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. DwellCheck rates it "High Activity Area" — among the highest activity areas — from 6,502 NYPD complaint records and 4 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (6,374 vs 6,502). 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 Downtown Brooklyn?
Downtown Brooklyn recorded 6,502 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (40,968 residents) that is 158.7 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is the highest crime rate per resident of the 37 Brooklyn neighborhoods we track. Of those, 1,921 were felonies and 571 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 Downtown Brooklyn?
The most common crimes in Downtown Brooklyn are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (1,439 incidents, 22.1% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (920 incidents, 14.1% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (519 incidents, 8% of total).
Is Downtown Brooklyn safer than the Brooklyn average?
Downtown Brooklyn has the highest crime rate per resident of the 37 Brooklyn neighborhoods we track. It had 164% more incidents than the borough average (6,502 vs. a borough average of 2,461 for a neighborhood of the same population, 40,968 residents in the 2020 Census). That is 158.7 reported crimes per 1,000 residents.
How has crime changed in Downtown Brooklyn?
Crime in Downtown Brooklyn has remained stable year-over-year (6,374 vs 6,502 incidents). The trend is classified as "stable."
What do 311 complaints say about Downtown Brooklyn?
Over the past 12 months, 311 recorded 7,488 noise complaints (very high per resident), 65 rodent complaints (moderate) and 349 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 Downtown Brooklyn safe at night?
Night safety in Downtown Brooklyn varies by block. About 18.2% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Downtown Brooklyn recorded 4 shooting incidents 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 7,488 noise complaints (very high per resident among the NYC neighborhoods we track) and 65 rodent reports. It has the highest crime rate per resident of the 37 Brooklyn neighborhoods we track. 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 has the highest crime rate per resident of the 37 Brooklyn neighborhoods we track, with 6,502 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 Downtown Brooklyn at night?
Downtown Brooklyn is classified as "High Activity Area" by NYPD complaint data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 4 shooting incidents and 6,502 total crime incidents — 164% 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 Downtown Brooklyn dangerous?
By NYPD data, Downtown Brooklyn is rated "High Activity Area", with the highest crime rate per resident of the 37 Brooklyn neighborhoods we track. 6,502 crime incidents over 12 months, remained stable year-over-year (6,374 vs 6,502 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 Downtown Brooklyn 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 Downtown Brooklyn a good place to live?
Downtown Brooklyn is considered a high-activity area, with the highest crime rate per resident of the 37 Brooklyn neighborhoods we track. Incident levels are stable with 6,502 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 Downtown Brooklyn to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
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 BrooklynCompare Downtown Brooklyn with Nearby Brooklyn Crime Rates
The Brooklyn neighborhoods whose crime rate per resident is closest to Downtown Brooklyn's.