Is Kew Gardens, Queens Safe in 2026?
Based on 707 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 9 shooting incidents, and 2,611 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Kew Gardens is below the Queens average for crime with incidents trending upward (129.5% increase year-over-year).
Kew Gardens is considered about average, ranking safer than 85% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 707 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
707
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
9
1 fatal
Violent Crimes
75
210 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 129.5%
129.5% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 145 | 20.5% |
| harrassment 2 | 129 | 18.2% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 65 | 9.2% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 59 | 8.3% |
| grand larceny of motor vehicle | 44 | 6.2% |
| grand larceny | 37 | 5.2% |
| miscellaneous penal law | 35 | 5.0% |
| felony assault | 28 | 4.0% |
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
1,398
39.9 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
36
1.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
1,177
33.6 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
1,256
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
498
40% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
538
43% of total
How Safe Is Kew Gardens Compared to Other Queens Neighborhoods?
Queens Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kew Gardens (this page) | 707 | 9 | Average | 85% |
| Bayside | 883 | 6 | Average | 82% |
| Forest Hills | 902 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 81% |
| Astoria | 2,305 | 132 | High Activity Area | 76% |
| Sunnyside | 1,324 | 82 | High Activity Area | 72% |
| Woodside | 1,661 | 45 | High Activity Area | 65% |
| Flushing | 3,575 | 75 | High Activity Area | 63% |
| Long Island City | 1,957 | 26 | High Activity Area | 59% |
| Corona | 1,977 | 64 | High Activity Area | 59% |
| Jackson Heights | 3,950 | 77 | High Activity Area | 18% |
| Ridgewood | 4,695 | 78 | High Activity Area | 2% |
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 Kew Gardens.
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 Kew Gardens 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 Kew Gardens Safety
Is Kew Gardens safe?
Kew Gardens is rated "Average" — Typical for the borough. Over the past 12 months, 707 crime incidents were recorded, including 9 shooting incidents. Kew Gardens is considered about average, ranking safer than 85% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 707 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Kew Gardens?
The most common crimes in Kew Gardens are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (145 incidents, 20.5% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (129 incidents, 18.2% of total); 3. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF & RELATED OF (65 incidents, 9.2% of total).
Is Kew Gardens safer than the Queens average?
Kew Gardens is safer than 85% of Queens neighborhoods. It had 71% fewer incidents than the borough average (707 vs. a borough average of 2,400).
How has crime changed in Kew Gardens?
Crime in Kew Gardens has worsened by 129.5% year-over-year, rising from 308 to 707 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Kew Gardens?
311 data shows 1,398 Very High complaints, 36 Low complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Kew Gardens safe at night?
Night safety in Kew Gardens varies by block. About 34.1% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Kew Gardens recorded 9 shooting incidents (1 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Kew Gardens safe for families?
For families considering Kew Gardens: the neighborhood recorded 1,398 noise complaints (very high for Queens) and 36 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 85% 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. Kew Gardens ranks at the 85th percentile with 707 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 Kew Gardens
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Kew Gardens.
Search an Address in Kew Gardens