Is Flatbush, Brooklyn Safe? Crime Rate & NYPD Data (2026)
Flatbush has a lower crime rate per resident than 36% of Brooklyn neighborhoods, or 64 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. Measured per resident, it sits on the higher-crime half of Brooklyn. DwellCheck rates it "Higher Than Average" — above-average incident activity — from 4,256 NYPD complaint records and 7 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents are up 6.9% year-over-year. 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 16,443 quality-of-life complaints in Flatbush. Flatbush is considered higher than average, with a lower crime rate per resident than 36% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. Incidents are trending up with 4,256 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 Flatbush?
Flatbush recorded 4,256 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (66,503 residents) that is 64 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is a lower crime rate per resident than 36% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. Of those, 1,273 were felonies and 297 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.
Flatbush Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
4,256
Past 12 months · 64 per 1,000 residents
Shooting Incidents
7
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
297
Murder, rape, robbery, felony assault
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 6.9%
6.9% more incidents
* Borough rate: the borough's count per resident across the neighborhoods we track, applied to this neighborhood's 66,503 residents (2020 Census).
Most Common Crimes in Flatbush
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 756 | 17.8% |
| petit larceny | 555 | 13.0% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 525 | 12.3% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 405 | 9.5% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 255 | 6.0% |
| miscellaneous penal law | 223 | 5.2% |
| felony assault | 211 | 5.0% |
| grand larceny | 179 | 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 (66,503 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
7,651
115.0 per 1,000 residents
High
Rodent Reports
413
6.2 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Sanitation Issues
613
9.2 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Heat/Hot Water
7,766
116.8 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
1,854
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
769
41% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
1,020
55% of total
How Safe Is Flatbush 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 (this page) | 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 | 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 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's reported crimes per resident (its NTAs' 2020 Census population, 66,503) 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 Flatbush'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 Flatbush Safety
Is Flatbush safe?
Flatbush has a lower crime rate per resident than 36% of Brooklyn neighborhoods, or 64 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. Measured per resident, it sits on the higher-crime half of Brooklyn. DwellCheck rates it "Higher Than Average" — above-average incident activity — from 4,256 NYPD complaint records and 7 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents are up 6.9% year-over-year. 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 Flatbush?
Flatbush recorded 4,256 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (66,503 residents) that is 64 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is a lower crime rate per resident than 36% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. Of those, 1,273 were felonies and 297 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 Flatbush?
The most common crimes in Flatbush are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (756 incidents, 17.8% of total); 2. PETIT LARCENY (555 incidents, 13% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (525 incidents, 12.3% of total).
Is Flatbush safer than the Brooklyn average?
Flatbush has a lower crime rate per resident than 36% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. It had 7% more incidents than the borough average (4,256 vs. a borough average of 3,996 for a neighborhood of the same population, 66,503 residents in the 2020 Census). That is 64 reported crimes per 1,000 residents.
How has crime changed in Flatbush?
Crime in Flatbush has worsened by 6.9% year-over-year, rising from 3,982 to 4,256 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Flatbush?
Over the past 12 months, 311 recorded 7,651 noise complaints (high per resident), 413 rodent complaints (very high) and 613 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 Flatbush safe at night?
Night safety in Flatbush varies by block. About 36.1% 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 7,651 noise complaints (high per resident among the NYC neighborhoods we track) and 413 rodent reports. It has a lower crime rate per resident than 36% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. 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 has a lower crime rate per resident than 36% of Brooklyn neighborhoods, with 4,256 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 Flatbush at night?
Flatbush is classified as "Higher Than Average" by NYPD complaint data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 7 shooting incidents and 4,256 total crime incidents — 7% 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", with a lower crime rate per resident than 36% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. 4,256 crime incidents over 12 months, worsened by 6.9% year-over-year, rising from 3,982 to 4,256 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 Flatbush 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 Flatbush a good place to live?
Flatbush is considered higher than average, with a lower crime rate per resident than 36% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. Incidents are trending up with 4,256 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 FlatbushCompare Flatbush with Nearby Brooklyn Crime Rates
The Brooklyn neighborhoods whose crime rate per resident is closest to Flatbush's.