Is Sunnyside, Queens Safe in 2026?
Based on 1,324 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 82 shooting incidents, and 2,252 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Sunnyside is below the Queens average for crime with incidents trending upward (198.9% increase year-over-year).
Sunnyside is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 72% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 1,324 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
1,324
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
82
23 fatal
Violent Crimes
201
481 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 198.9%
198.9% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 220 | 16.6% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 160 | 12.1% |
| harrassment 2 | 148 | 11.2% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 130 | 9.8% |
| grand larceny | 88 | 6.6% |
| felony assault | 79 | 6.0% |
| grand larceny of motor vehicle | 77 | 5.8% |
| miscellaneous penal law | 67 | 5.1% |
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
1,897
54.2 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
83
2.4 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
272
7.8 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
448
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
195
44% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
248
55% of total
How Safe Is Sunnyside 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 (this page) | 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% |
| 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 Sunnyside.
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 Sunnyside 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 Sunnyside Safety
Is Sunnyside safe?
Sunnyside is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 1,324 crime incidents were recorded, including 82 shooting incidents. Sunnyside is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 72% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 1,324 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Sunnyside?
The most common crimes in Sunnyside are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (220 incidents, 16.6% of total); 2. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (160 incidents, 12.1% of total); 3. HARRASSMENT 2 (148 incidents, 11.2% of total).
Is Sunnyside safer than the Queens average?
Sunnyside is safer than 72% of Queens neighborhoods. It had 45% fewer incidents than the borough average (1,324 vs. a borough average of 2,400).
How has crime changed in Sunnyside?
Crime in Sunnyside has worsened by 198.9% year-over-year, rising from 443 to 1,324 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Sunnyside?
311 data shows 1,897 Very High complaints, 83 Low complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Sunnyside safe at night?
Night safety in Sunnyside varies by block. About 42.1% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Sunnyside recorded 82 shooting incidents (23 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Sunnyside safe for families?
For families considering Sunnyside: the neighborhood recorded 1,897 noise complaints (very high for Queens) and 83 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 72% 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. Sunnyside ranks at the 72th percentile with 1,324 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 Sunnyside
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Sunnyside.
Search an Address in Sunnyside