One of the largest areas of New York City, the Bronx is no stranger to crime. From murders to rape cases to events of theft and burglary, crime happens across the Bronx every single day. Whether you are looking to relocate or visit the Bronx, are a current resident, or have found yourself charged with a crime in the Bronx, it can be helpful to understand the Bronx crime rate, and the attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, are here to help.
New York City is considered to be one of the safer big cities, with the state having a violent crime rate of 4.29 per 1,000 residents, about the same as the national median of 4. The Bronx is one of the city’s five boroughs, known as an epicenter of creativity and a mix of many cultures. Like any populated city, it is also home to crime. Understanding the Bronx crime rate can help residents and visitors understand how to enjoy the borough safely.
Property Crime
Property crimes include offenses such as petit and grand larceny, motor vehicle theft, burglary, and arson. Property or money is stolen or damaged in these crimes, but the victims of the crime do not have force or the threat of force inflicted on them.
In 2022, the Bronx had a serious property crime rate of 9.9 per 1,000 residents, compared to a rate of 9 for the entirety of New York City.
Violent Crime
Violent crime refers to crimes where the victim suffers direct force or the threat of force. It includes murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and assault. In New York City, 2019 saw 36,138 violent crimes, according to data compiled by the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.
The violent crime rate in the Bronx in 2019 was 6.81 per 1,000 residents, which was higher than the prior two years but lower than the violent crime rate from 2013 to 2016. The Bronx’s violent crime rate is the highest of the five boroughs; the next highest is Manhattan, with a rate of 4.57 per 1,000 residents.
In 2022, the violent crime rate in the Bronx was 8.9 per 1,000 residents, compared to the citywide rate of 5.1 per 1,000 residents.
There were 9,758 violent crimes in the Bronx in 2019. This is an increase from 2017 and 2018 but a decrease from 2013 to 2016. Brooklyn has the highest number of violent crimes at 10,738 in 2019.
Major Crime
Major crime includes both violent and property crimes that are considered significant; often, these are felonies. They may include shooting incidents, murder, burglary, robbery, rape, grand larceny, and felony assault.
The major crime rate in the Bronx was 13.54 per 1,000 residents in 2019, compared to the much higher rate of 16.67 in Manhattan during the same year. The 2019 rate in the Bronx was .04 higher than the rate for 2018, and it was lower than the major crime rates from 2013 to 2017.
In 2019, the Bronx saw 19,391 major crimes, compared to 27,441 in Brooklyn and 27,143 in Manhattan. The overall number of major crimes in New York City that year was 95,593.
What Contributes to Crime in the Bronx?
The Bronx is one of the largest boroughs of New York City, home to the Yankee Stadium and the Bronx Zoo. Because of the local population and the attractions that draw people to the area daily, crime happens, and there are several factors that contribute to the higher rates of crime that occur in the borough. The most common factors include:
- -Group criminal activity. Thanks to gangs and organized crime, larger areas like the Bronx are more likely to have these operations present than smaller cities. Crimes typically executed in a group form can include human trafficking, weapons trafficking, drug trafficking, racketeering, and extortion.
- -Socioeconomic status. The poverty level in the Bronx is higher than the level experienced across the entire city of New York. In 2023, the current poverty level of the Bronx sat at 27.9%. High levels of poverty and unemployment can contribute to higher rates of crime, as some people may feel the need to resort to illegal activities in order to meet their basic needs.
- -Substance abuse. Criminal activity is often fueled by high levels of drug and alcohol use in an area like the Bronx. Some of these crimes might include trafficking or manufacturing of a controlled substance, or simply being in possession of a controlled substance. Substance abuse issues are also tied to other crimes, such as theft or assault.
- -Lack of resources. When an area has a lack of certain resources and hardly any community support for residents, this can lead to higher rates of crime. This might include not having programs to keep local kids busy after school or having resources for addiction and recovery.
How Can Crime Be Prevented?
When an area, such as the Bronx, actively tries to decrease its overall crime rate, it is a community-wide effort. It takes help from law enforcement, political and government bodies, families, and other members of the general public. If you are looking for ways to prevent and lower crime in the Bronx, there are several things you can do, including:
- -Get involved. This can include becoming involved in local neighborhood watch programs and community meetings regarding crime.
- -Report suspicious activity. If you believe you are witnessing something suspicious or strange, it is always wise to act first and ask questions later. Reporting this kind of activity to the police is always the right choice.
- -Increase safety measures. This can include using alarm or lock systems on your property, having security cameras in place, and not walking alone at night or through dangerous areas.
FAQs
Q: Why Does the Bronx Have a Bad Reputation?
A: There are several factors that give the Bronx a bad reputation. The Bronx has, on average, higher violent crime rates than the other boroughs in New York. It also has a higher poverty rate, a higher foreclosure rate, and poor housing conditions. All of these factors create substandard living for most residents, make communities more vulnerable, and can exacerbate crime rates. The Bronx’s reputation can also be tied to its historical coverage in the 1980s as low-income housing was burned.
However, while the Bronx contains some of the more dangerous neighborhoods in New York, it is not much more dangerous than other urban locations across the country with the same population.
Q: Are There Safe Places to Live in the Bronx?
A: Yes, there are neighborhoods that are considered relatively safe in the Bronx. Some of the safest neighborhoods in the Bronx are in the north and northwest, including Administration Hill, Riversdale, and Spuyten Duyvil. Several other safer neighborhoods are located in the east of the Bronx, including Baychester, Hutchinson River Parkway, and Laconia South. These locations have lower crime rates on average.
Q: What Is the Toughest Neighborhood in the Bronx?
A: The south neighborhoods in the Bronx are considered some of the most dangerous due to their higher violent crime rates. Hunts Point, particularly the north, west, and northwest of Hunts Point, is considered a more dangerous area.
In 2022, Hunts Point and Longwood had a serious property crime rate of 14.4 per 1,000 residents when compared to the Bronx’s rate of 9.9 and New York City’s overall rate of 9. The violent crime rate in Hunts Point and Longwood was 13.6 per 1,000 residents, compared to the Bronx’s rate of 8.9 and the city’s rate of 5.1.
Q: What Is the Crime Rate of Pelham Bay in the Bronx?
A: The crime rate of Pelham Bay in the Bronx is 17% less than the national average. Crime is not considered a major concern in this neighborhood. It is served by the 45th precinct, which, in 2023, reported the following crimes:
- 1,045 violation offenses
- 3,704 total misdemeanor offenses, which include petit larceny, criminal trespass, misdemeanor sex crimes, aggravated harassment, and certain traffic law offenses
- 1,825 offenses classified as the seven major felony offenses, which include murder, rape, robbery, and grand larceny
- 617 offenses categorized as non-seven major felony offenses, which include arson, forgery, identity theft, felony sex crimes, and felony theft of property
Criminal Defense Attorneys Representing the Bronx
If you have been accused of a criminal offense, it can be terrifying. If you have been charged, it may feel as though the entire criminal system is against you, particularly if the charges are exaggerated or false. An effective and competent criminal defense attorney can make a major difference in the success of your criminal case, whether you committed the crime or not.
Your attorney can review the facts of your arrest and the evidence against you. Then, they can determine if your rights were upheld throughout the process. A criminal defense attorney can help limit or eliminate the charges and penalties you face, which can keep you from serving long incarceration terms or paying significant fines.
At the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, we want to bring you the committed criminal defense you need. Whether you have been charged with a property crime, violent crime, misdemeanor, or felony, we can help you navigate the criminal law system and find the ideal outcome for your case. Contact us today.
