Is Flatbush, Brooklyn Safe in 2026?
Based on 858 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 14 shooting incidents, and 2,913 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Flatbush is below the Brooklyn average for crime with incidents trending upward (161.6% increase year-over-year).
Flatbush is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 87% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 858 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers April 2025 – April 2026 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated April 5, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
858
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
14
2 fatal
Violent Crimes
139
311 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 161.6%
161.6% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| assault 3 & related offenses | 128 | 14.9% |
| harrassment 2 | 128 | 14.9% |
| petit larceny | 103 | 12.0% |
| grand larceny | 65 | 7.6% |
| dangerous drugs | 52 | 6.1% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 50 | 5.8% |
| felony assault | 49 | 5.7% |
| grand larceny of motor vehicle | 37 | 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
2,359
67.4 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
104
3.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
450
12.9 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
483
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
192
40% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
289
60% of total
How Safe Is Flatbush Compared to Other Brooklyn Neighborhoods?
Brooklyn Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Greene | 325 | 3 | Average | 95% |
| Windsor Terrace | 317 | 3 | Average | 95% |
| Kensington | 705 | 8 | Average | 89% |
| Flatbush (this page) | 858 | 14 | Higher Than Average | 87% |
| Ditmas Park | 814 | 10 | Higher Than Average | 87% |
| Clinton Hill | 1,020 | 66 | High Activity Area | 84% |
| 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% |
| Bay Ridge | 2,390 | 24 | Higher Than Average | 63% |
| Crown Heights | 5,282 | 789 | High Activity Area | 59% |
| Sunset Park | 2,691 | 78 | High Activity Area | 58% |
| Carroll Gardens | 2,941 | 230 | High Activity Area | 54% |
| 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 | 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 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, 858 crime incidents were recorded, including 14 shooting incidents. Flatbush is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 87% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 858 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Flatbush?
The most common crimes in Flatbush are: 1. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (128 incidents, 14.9% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (128 incidents, 14.9% of total); 3. PETIT LARCENY (103 incidents, 12% of total).
Is Flatbush safer than the Brooklyn average?
Flatbush is safer than 87% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. It had 73% fewer incidents than the borough average (858 vs. a borough average of 3,200).
How has crime changed in Flatbush?
Crime in Flatbush has worsened by 161.6% year-over-year, rising from 328 to 858 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Flatbush?
311 data shows 2,359 Very High complaints, 104 Low complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Flatbush safe at night?
Night safety in Flatbush varies by block. About 40.2% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Flatbush recorded 14 shooting incidents (2 fatal) 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 2,359 noise complaints (very high for Brooklyn) and 104 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 87% 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. Flatbush ranks at the 87th percentile with 858 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 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