Is Williamsburg, Brooklyn Safe in 2026?
Based on 3,488 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 144 shooting incidents, and 18,307 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Williamsburg is below the Brooklyn average for crime with incidents trending upward (249.8% increase year-over-year).
Williamsburg is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 73% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 3,488 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
3,488
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
144
30 fatal
Violent Crimes
724
1,248 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 249.8%
249.8% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 770 | 22.1% |
| grand larceny | 476 | 13.6% |
| harrassment 2 | 475 | 13.6% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 300 | 8.6% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 219 | 6.3% |
| burglary | 128 | 3.7% |
| felony assault | 120 | 3.4% |
| sex crimes | 110 | 3.2% |
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
14,565
208.1 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
481
6.9 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
3,261
46.6 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
2,326
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
1,086
47% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
1,167
50% of total
How Safe Is Williamsburg Compared to Other Brooklyn Neighborhoods?
Brooklyn Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Greene | 325 | 3 | Average | 95% |
| Williamsburg (this page) | 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% |
| 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 Williamsburg.
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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg Safety
Is Williamsburg safe?
Williamsburg is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 3,488 crime incidents were recorded, including 144 shooting incidents. Williamsburg is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 73% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 3,488 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Williamsburg?
The most common crimes in Williamsburg are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (770 incidents, 22.1% of total); 2. GRAND LARCENY (476 incidents, 13.6% of total); 3. HARRASSMENT 2 (475 incidents, 13.6% of total).
Is Williamsburg safer than the Brooklyn average?
Williamsburg is safer than 73% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. It had 46% fewer incidents than the borough average (3,488 vs. a borough average of 6,400).
How has crime changed in Williamsburg?
Crime in Williamsburg has worsened by 249.8% year-over-year, rising from 997 to 3,488 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Williamsburg?
311 data shows 14,565 Very High complaints, 481 Moderate complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Williamsburg safe at night?
Night safety in Williamsburg varies by block. About 32.2% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Williamsburg recorded 144 shooting incidents (30 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Williamsburg safe for families?
For families considering Williamsburg: the neighborhood recorded 14,565 noise complaints (very high for Brooklyn) and 481 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 73% 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. Williamsburg ranks at the 73th percentile with 3,488 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 Williamsburg
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Williamsburg.
Search an Address in Williamsburg