Brooklyn Crime Rate and Statistics [2024 Updated]

With a population of around 2.6 million, Brooklyn is an iconic borough with a dense patchwork of bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and parks for locals and visitors. The borough, located to the east of Manhattan, has a rich cultural history, but some parts of the city have high crime rates. If you live in Brooklyn or plan on visiting, we’ll provide comprehensive and updated crime statistics on Brooklyn’s crime rate so you can see what trends are shaping public safety in this popular part of New York City.

A Look at Crime Rates in Brooklyn

New York City saw an overall decline in violent crime in 2023, and the last month of 2023 saw a surge in crime across Brooklyn.

Major felonies include:

• Murder
• Rape
• Burglary
• Robbery
• Felony
• Assault
• Grand larceny
• Grand larceny auto

The increase in crime rates in December ranged from a 5.6% increase in the northern part of Brooklyn to just under 1% in the south of Brooklyn. During that month, the northern portion of Brooklyn saw robberies rise by 44%. Assaults rose by nearly 9%, while grand larceny arrests increased by 25%. Between December 3 and 31, Brooklyn saw:

• 200 robberies
• 288 assaults
• 404 grand larceny incidents
• 1,188 reported felonies

Murder rates were down compared to the year prior. Rape saw a decline of 10%. The south of Brooklyn also saw decreases in murder rates over the 28-day period. Southern Brooklyn, during that month, saw:

• 19 rapes
• 147 robberies
• 253 assaults
• 157 incidents of grand larceny auto

Of all the precincts, the 90th Precinct in Williamsburg saw a dramatic rise in assaults with 24 being reported that month. This reflects a 140% increase from that same time period the year prior.

CrimeGrade.org gives Brooklyn an F when it comes to crime rates. This rating is given to parts of the country where violent crime is higher than average. Brooklyn is in the 7th percentile for safety. This means that 93% of cities in the United States are considered safer.

The violent crime rate in Brooklyn is 3.69 per 1,000 area residents. The southeast side is considered one of the safer parts of Brooklyn. In northwest neighborhoods, the incidence of crime is as high as 1 in 149. The lowest rates of crime are in the southeast, where crime rates are 1 in 532.

Brooklyn North Crime Rates

Based on data from the NYPD, there have been a total of 695 felony assaults in northern Brooklyn so far this year. Other crimes compiled during the first quarter of 2024 include:

• 30 shooting victims
• 32 rape victims
• 1,130 misdemeanor assaults

The number of shooting victims this year is down one-third compared to last year.

Brooklyn South Crime Rates

There have been eight murders so far this year in South Brooklyn. Other crimes recorded by NYPD so far this year include:

• Rape (39)
• Robbery (366)
• Shooting victims (15)
• Shooting incidents (14)

Compared to 2023, burglaries are down almost 36%. The number of rape victims is down 5.3%.

One type of crime that has increased dramatically, however, is hate crimes. A hate crime in New York is categorized as any crime that is motivated by a group’s or person’s race, religion, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. The Hate Crimes Unit at the Brooklyn D.A.’s office claims the top three groups that are targeted are Jewish people, LGBTQ individuals, and African-Americans.

FAQs

Q: Is It Safe to Walk Around Brooklyn at Night?

A: It is safe to walk around Brooklyn at night as long as you take basic precautions. Walking alone in poorly lit areas can increase the chance that you will be the victim of a crime. Crime rates often spike at night. If you do walk in Brooklyn at night, be mindful of which neighborhoods have the most crime. Try to walk with a group of friends whenever possible.

Q: Is Brooklyn a Good or Bad Area?

A: Like other large, densely populated cities, Brooklyn has pockets of crime, and some of those crimes are serious. The borough is also a culturally rich part of New York City, where many celebrities choose to live. If you take certain basic safety precautions, you can live in Brooklyn with a very low risk of experiencing crime.

Q: Where Should I Not Stay in Brooklyn?

A: Locals consider Northwest Brooklyn to be the least safe. This is based on average crime rates. Crime statistics do not predict whether you will be the victim of a crime. If you are staying in a hotel and avoiding walking alone at night, any part of Brooklyn would be considered relatively safe. You can avoid becoming the victim of a crime by taking precautionary steps and being aware of your environment.

Q: Is Park Slope a Safe Place in Brooklyn?

A: Park Slope is considered one of the safest parts of Brooklyn. The crime rate there is lower than most of Brooklyn. The community is known for tree-lined streets and Victorian architecture. Many families choose to raise their children here because of its reputation for being a safe place to live. Park Slope also has outdoor spaces that are beautiful, such as Prospect Park and Washington Park.

Schedule Your Brooklyn Defense Attorney Consultation Today

Crime statistics provide useful information, but they only provide general averages. Any area that is densely populated is more likely to experience crime. The crime rates matter more than the number of incidents in many cases. Crime can also occur in some of the safest communities in the country.

If you live in Brooklyn and need the services of a criminal defense lawyer, we have helped many clients protect their rights in criminal court. We offer aggressive defense for those accused of criminal activity such as drug crimes, white collar crimes, DUI, health care fraud, and many more. The Vitaliano Law Firm can investigate the facts of your case and negotiate with prosecutors on our behalf.

To schedule your consultation, contact our office today, and we can get started on your defense.