Is Kensington, Brooklyn Safe in 2026?
Based on 705 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 8 shooting incidents, and 2,391 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Kensington is below the Brooklyn average for crime with incidents trending upward (137.4% increase year-over-year).
Kensington is considered about average, ranking safer than 89% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 705 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
705
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
8
1 fatal
Violent Crimes
108
240 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 137.4%
137.4% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 148 | 21.0% |
| harrassment 2 | 127 | 18.0% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 77 | 10.9% |
| grand larceny | 69 | 9.8% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 46 | 6.5% |
| grand larceny of motor vehicle | 34 | 4.8% |
| miscellaneous penal law | 33 | 4.7% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 31 | 4.4% |
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
1,286
36.7 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
56
1.6 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
1,049
30.0 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
209
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
60
29% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
144
69% of total
How Safe Is Kensington 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 (this page) | 705 | 8 | Average | 89% |
| Flatbush | 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 Kensington.
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 Kensington 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 Kensington Safety
Is Kensington safe?
Kensington is rated "Average" — Typical for the borough. Over the past 12 months, 705 crime incidents were recorded, including 8 shooting incidents. Kensington is considered about average, ranking safer than 89% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 705 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Kensington?
The most common crimes in Kensington are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (148 incidents, 21% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (127 incidents, 18% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (77 incidents, 10.9% of total).
Is Kensington safer than the Brooklyn average?
Kensington is safer than 89% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. It had 78% fewer incidents than the borough average (705 vs. a borough average of 3,200).
How has crime changed in Kensington?
Crime in Kensington has worsened by 137.4% year-over-year, rising from 297 to 705 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Kensington?
311 data shows 1,286 Very High complaints, 56 Low complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Kensington safe at night?
Night safety in Kensington varies by block. About 38.7% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Kensington recorded 8 shooting incidents (1 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Kensington safe for families?
For families considering Kensington: the neighborhood recorded 1,286 noise complaints (very high for Brooklyn) and 56 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 89% 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. Kensington ranks at the 89th percentile with 705 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 Kensington
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Kensington.
Search an Address in Kensington