Is Prospect Heights, Brooklyn Safe in 2026?
Based on 2,279 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 328 shooting incidents, and 8,492 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Prospect Heights is below the Brooklyn average for crime with incidents trending upward (169.1% increase year-over-year).
Prospect Heights is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 64% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 2,279 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers March 2025 – March 2026 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated March 31, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
2,279
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
328
63 fatal
Violent Crimes
321
662 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 169.1%
169.1% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 371 | 16.3% |
| petit larceny | 304 | 13.3% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 252 | 11.1% |
| other offenses related to theft | 155 | 6.8% |
| felony assault | 147 | 6.5% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 136 | 6.0% |
| grand larceny | 114 | 5.0% |
| miscellaneous penal law | 96 | 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.
Noise Complaints
4,449
127.1 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
321
9.2 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
3,722
106.3 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
1,857
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
818
44% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
995
54% of total
How Safe Is Prospect Heights Compared to Other Brooklyn Neighborhoods?
Brooklyn Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Greene | 325 | 3 | Average | 95% |
| Williamsburg | 3,488 | 144 | High Activity Area | 73% |
| DUMBO | 1,741 | 30 | High Activity Area | 73% |
| Prospect Heights (this page) | 2,279 | 328 | High Activity Area | 64% |
| Park Slope | 2,360 | 267 | High Activity Area | 63% |
| Crown Heights | 5,282 | 789 | High Activity Area | 59% |
| 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 Prospect Heights.
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 Prospect Heights 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 Prospect Heights Safety
Is Prospect Heights safe?
Prospect Heights is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 2,279 crime incidents were recorded, including 328 shooting incidents. Prospect Heights is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 64% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 2,279 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Prospect Heights?
The most common crimes in Prospect Heights are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (371 incidents, 16.3% of total); 2. PETIT LARCENY (304 incidents, 13.3% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (252 incidents, 11.1% of total).
Is Prospect Heights safer than the Brooklyn average?
Prospect Heights is safer than 64% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. It had 29% fewer incidents than the borough average (2,279 vs. a borough average of 3,200).
How has crime changed in Prospect Heights?
Crime in Prospect Heights has worsened by 169.1% year-over-year, rising from 847 to 2,279 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Prospect Heights?
311 data shows 4,449 Very High complaints, 321 Moderate complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Prospect Heights safe at night?
Night safety in Prospect Heights varies by block. About 28.6% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Prospect Heights recorded 328 shooting incidents (63 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Prospect Heights safe for families?
For families considering Prospect Heights: the neighborhood recorded 4,449 noise complaints (very high for Brooklyn) and 321 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 64% 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. Prospect Heights ranks at the 64th percentile with 2,279 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 Prospect Heights
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Prospect Heights.
Search an Address in Prospect Heights