Is Flatbush, Brooklyn Safe in 2026?
Based on 4,068 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 7 shooting incidents, and 15,157 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Flatbush is above the Brooklyn average for crime with stable incident levels year-over-year.
Flatbush is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 36% of the borough. Incident levels are stable with 4,068 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
4,068
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
7
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
555
1,355 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↔ 1.1%
No significant change
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 687 | 16.9% |
| petit larceny | 549 | 13.5% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 507 | 12.5% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 277 | 6.8% |
| felony assault | 255 | 6.3% |
| miscellaneous penal law | 246 | 6.0% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 230 | 5.7% |
| grand larceny | 185 | 4.5% |
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
7,695
219.9 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
464
13.3 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
525
15.0 per 1,000 residents
High
Heat/Hot Water
6,473
184.9 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
1,530
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
712
47% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
778
51% of total
How Safe Is Flatbush 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 | 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 (this page) | 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 Flatbush.
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 Flatbush 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 Flatbush Safety
Is Flatbush safe?
Flatbush is rated "Higher Than Average" — Above-average incident activity. Over the past 12 months, 4,068 crime incidents were recorded, including 7 shooting incidents. Flatbush is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 36% of the borough. Incident levels are stable with 4,068 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Flatbush?
The most common crimes in Flatbush are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (687 incidents, 16.9% of total); 2. PETIT LARCENY (549 incidents, 13.5% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (507 incidents, 12.5% of total).
Is Flatbush safer than the Brooklyn average?
Flatbush is safer than 36% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. It had 27% more incidents than the borough average (4,068 vs. a borough average of 3,200).
How has crime changed in Flatbush?
Crime in Flatbush has remained stable year-over-year (4,114 vs 4,068 incidents). The trend is classified as "stable."
What do 311 complaints say about Flatbush?
311 data shows 7,695 Very High complaints, 464 Moderate complaints, and 525 High complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Flatbush safe at night?
Night safety in Flatbush varies by block. About 33.2% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Flatbush recorded 7 shooting incidents in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Flatbush safe for families?
For families considering Flatbush: the neighborhood recorded 7,695 noise complaints (very high for Brooklyn) and 464 rodent reports. It ranks in the 36th 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. Flatbush ranks at the 36th percentile with 4,068 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 Flatbush at night?
Flatbush is classified as "Higher Than Average" by NYPD CompStat data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 7 shooting incidents and 4,068 total crime incidents — 27% 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 Flatbush dangerous?
By NYPD data, Flatbush is rated "Higher Than Average" — safer than 36% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. 4,068 crime incidents over 12 months, remained stable year-over-year (4,114 vs 4,068 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 Flatbush 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 Flatbush a good place to live?
Flatbush scores in the 36th percentile for safety in Brooklyn. Flatbush is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 36% of the borough. Incident levels are stable with 4,068 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 Flatbush to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in Flatbush
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Flatbush.
Search an Address in Flatbush