Is Briarwood, Queens Safe in 2026?
Based on 1,615 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 2 shooting incidents, and 3,089 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Briarwood is below the Queens average for crime with incidents trending upward (8.7% increase year-over-year).
Briarwood is considered safer than average, ranking safer than 66% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 1,615 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers December 2024 – December 2025 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated April 18, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
1,615
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
2
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
252
521 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 8.7%
8.7% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 275 | 17.0% |
| petit larceny | 198 | 12.3% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 196 | 12.1% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 128 | 7.9% |
| grand larceny | 121 | 7.5% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 119 | 7.4% |
| felony assault | 83 | 5.1% |
| miscellaneous penal law | 70 | 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
1,359
38.8 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
100
2.9 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
198
5.7 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Heat/Hot Water
1,432
40.9 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
654
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
312
48% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
331
51% of total
How Safe Is Briarwood Compared to Other Queens Neighborhoods?
Queens Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Neck | 622 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 87% |
| Middle Village | 965 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 80% |
| Fresh Meadows | 982 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 80% |
| Kew Gardens | 988 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 79% |
| Whitestone | 1,003 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 79% |
| Jamaica Estates | 1,008 | 2 | Much Safer Than Average | 79% |
| Bayside | 1,182 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 75% |
| Rego Park | 1,250 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Howard Beach | 1,251 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Ozone Park | 2,378 | 4 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Richmond Hill | 2,937 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 69% |
| College Point | 1,491 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 69% |
| Maspeth | 1,639 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 66% |
| Briarwood (this page) | 1,615 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 66% |
| Woodside | 1,767 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 63% |
| Astoria | 4,862 | 5 | Average | 54% |
| Sunnyside | 2,308 | 0 | Average | 52% |
| Long Island City | 2,523 | 0 | Average | 47% |
| Corona | 2,673 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Ridgewood | 2,735 | 2 | Higher Than Average | 43% |
| Forest Hills | 3,877 | 1 | Much Higher Than Average | 19% |
| Flushing | 4,843 | 3 | High Activity Area | 0% |
| Jackson Heights | 5,229 | 0 | High Activity Area | 0% |
| Elmhurst | 6,283 | 2 | High Activity Area | 0% |
| Jamaica | 11,940 | 10 | High Activity Area | 0% |
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 Briarwood.
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 Briarwood only against other NTAs within Queens, 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 Briarwood Safety
Is Briarwood safe?
Briarwood is rated "Safer Than Average" — Top 45% safest in the borough. Over the past 12 months, 1,615 crime incidents were recorded, including 2 shooting incidents. Briarwood is considered safer than average, ranking safer than 66% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 1,615 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Briarwood?
The most common crimes in Briarwood are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (275 incidents, 17% of total); 2. PETIT LARCENY (198 incidents, 12.3% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (196 incidents, 12.1% of total).
Is Briarwood safer than the Queens average?
Briarwood is safer than 66% of Queens neighborhoods. It had 33% fewer incidents than the borough average (1,615 vs. a borough average of 2,400).
How has crime changed in Briarwood?
Crime in Briarwood has worsened by 8.7% year-over-year, rising from 1,486 to 1,615 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Briarwood?
311 data shows 1,359 Very High complaints, 100 Low complaints, and 198 Moderate complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Briarwood safe at night?
Night safety in Briarwood varies by block. About 35.4% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Briarwood recorded 2 shooting incidents in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Briarwood safe for families?
For families considering Briarwood: the neighborhood recorded 1,359 noise complaints (very high for Queens) and 100 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 66% of Queens 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 Queens?
Safety varies across Queens neighborhoods. Briarwood ranks at the 66th percentile with 1,615 incidents. Compare all Queens 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 Briarwood
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Briarwood.
Search an Address in Briarwood