Is Long Island City, Queens Safe in 2026?
Based on 1,957 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 26 shooting incidents, and 2,898 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Long Island City is below the Queens average for crime with incidents trending upward (226.7% increase year-over-year).
Long Island City is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 59% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 1,957 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
1,957
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
26
4 fatal
Violent Crimes
364
658 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 226.7%
226.7% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 435 | 22.2% |
| harrassment 2 | 255 | 13.0% |
| grand larceny | 222 | 11.3% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 172 | 8.8% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 135 | 6.9% |
| sex crimes | 90 | 4.6% |
| felony assault | 70 | 3.6% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 70 | 3.6% |
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
2,524
72.1 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
49
1.4 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
325
9.3 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
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
1,487
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
624
42% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
792
53% of total
How Safe Is Long Island City Compared to Other Queens Neighborhoods?
Queens Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 (this page) | 1,957 | 26 | 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 Long Island City.
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 Long Island City 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 Long Island City Safety
Is Long Island City safe?
Long Island City is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 1,957 crime incidents were recorded, including 26 shooting incidents. Long Island City is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 59% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 1,957 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Long Island City?
The most common crimes in Long Island City are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (435 incidents, 22.2% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (255 incidents, 13% of total); 3. GRAND LARCENY (222 incidents, 11.3% of total).
Is Long Island City safer than the Queens average?
Long Island City is safer than 59% of Queens neighborhoods. It had 18% fewer incidents than the borough average (1,957 vs. a borough average of 2,400).
How has crime changed in Long Island City?
Crime in Long Island City has worsened by 226.7% year-over-year, rising from 599 to 1,957 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Long Island City?
311 data shows 2,524 Very High complaints, 49 Low complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Long Island City safe at night?
Night safety in Long Island City varies by block. About 30.2% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Long Island City recorded 26 shooting incidents (4 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Long Island City safe for families?
For families considering Long Island City: the neighborhood recorded 2,524 noise complaints (very high for Queens) and 49 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 59% 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. Long Island City ranks at the 59th percentile with 1,957 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 Long Island City
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Long Island City.
Search an Address in Long Island City