Thanks to artistic areas like Williamsburg and historic districts like Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn is a vibrant and bustling borough of New York City, but it is no stranger to crime. While it has seen a decline in certain violent crimes, the last years have shown a slight increase in issues such as rape and hate crimes. It can be important to understand Brooklyn crime rates, whether you are a resident, facing criminal charges, or are looking to visit or relocate.
Brooklyn is the most highly populated of New York City’s five boroughs. It has many distinct cultures and is a hub of art and creation. Although New York City is considered relatively safe, there is still a risk of crime, as with any urban location. Having information about the Brooklyn crime rate can help those who live in the borough and those visiting it to remain safe and aware as they enjoy the neighborhoods.
Property Crime in Brooklyn
Property crimes are any offenses that involve the theft, destruction, or damage of property or money. These crimes occur when no one is harmed or threatened with harm. Larceny is a property crime, but robbery requires threatening the victim, making it a violent crime.
The overall serious crime rate in Brooklyn in 2022 was 12.2 per 1,000 residents. Of this, the property crime rate was 7.6 per 1,000 residents, compared to the citywide crime rate of 9 per 1,000 residents. In 2019, there were 59,455 property crimes in the entirety of New York City, a decrease from 2018.
Violent Crime in Brooklyn
Violent crimes include assault, battery, rape, manslaughter, and other offenses. They involve force or harm to the victim or the threat of force, such as the presence of a firearm or other deadly weapon.
There were 36,138 violent crimes in New York City in 2019, according to information compiled by the city’s Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, and 10,738 or 30% of those were in Brooklyn and Kings County. From 2013 to 2019, the number of violent crimes decreased significantly, from 14,347 in 2013, and are decreasing each following year.
The violent crime rate in 2019 in Brooklyn was 4.16, with both Manhattan and the Bronx having higher violent crime rates that year. Violent crime rates in Brooklyn also had an overall decreased trend since having a rate of 5.53 in 2013. The violent crime rate in 2022 in Brooklyn was 4.6 per 1,000 residents, compared to the citywide rate of 5.1.
Brooklyn had 100 homicides in 2019 out of 319 citywide, compared to 98 in 2018 in Brooklyn and 111 in 2017. The rate of homicides per 1,000 people in Brooklyn was lower than in the Bronx. In 2019, Brooklyn’s homicide rate was .039, higher than in 2018 but lower than in 2013 to 2017.
In 2019, there were 776 shooting incidents in New York City, 290 of which occurred in Brooklyn. This was 37% of the total shootings in the city. Between 2013 and 2019, Brooklyn had the highest number of shootings, followed by the Bronx.
Major Crime in Brooklyn
Major crime is a category that covers both property crimes and violent crimes. Law enforcement defines major crimes as significant crimes, with a focus on felonies.
There were 27,441 major crimes in Brooklyn in 2019, very close to the number in Manhattan in the same year. Between 2013 and 2019, Brooklyn had the highest number of major crimes of all the boroughs, with 35,745 in 2013.
However, when looking at the rate of major crimes, Brooklyn has fewer major crimes per 1,000 people than Manhattan and the Bronx. Brooklyn saw a major crime rate of 10.62 in 2019, compared to 13.54 in the Bronx and 16.67 in Manhattan. From 2013 to 2019, the highest major crime rate in Brooklyn was 13.79 in 2013, and the rates largely decreased each year afterward.
Factors That Lead to Crimes in Brooklyn
Being the most populated area of New York City, Brooklyn sometimes offers a higher chance of experiencing a crime. This can be due to several factors, but is especially due to the area having a very large and diverse population, boasting people from all kinds of backgrounds, wealth statuses, religious beliefs, and experiences. Some of the factors that can lead to crime in Brooklyn include:
- -Poverty levels. In 2023, Brooklyn saw a poverty rate of 19%, which is higher than the poverty level of the entire city of NYC. When an area experiences higher levels of poverty and unemployment, this can cause an increase in overall criminal behavior. This does not mean that people in poverty will automatically become criminals, but they may be more likely to look to illegal means to provide for their basic needs.
- -Group crimes. Gangs and other forms of organized crime thrive in big cities and areas like Brooklyn. Crimes that often arise in gangs or organized crime rings can include human trafficking, drug manufacturing or trafficking, weapons trafficking, and extortion.
- -Substance abuse. When an individual suffers from a drug or alcohol addiction, it can lead them to take part in certain criminal activities. Being in possession of certain controlled substances alone is considered to be a crime. However, in order to fuel a drug addiction, an individual might be tempted to commit other crimes as well, including theft or assault.
- -Lack of necessary resources. When certain areas have lower access to certain programs and resources or have a lack of community support for residents, this can lead to higher rates of crime. If there is a lack of law enforcement present in the area, this can also lead to an increase in crime.
- -Mental health issues. When individuals suffer from undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues, particularly issues that may delay or hinder judgment, they may be more apt to engage in criminal actions. This can especially be true for individuals who are homeless, as they may feel the need to resort to criminal activity to provide for their needs. Currently, there are around 414 homeless individuals in Brooklyn.
Why Crime Statistics Matter
Understanding crime statistics in Brooklyn can be very important. For local residents, it can help inform them on how and when certain safety measures should be taken. It can also help them learn ways to better support their community and prevent crime from occurring.
For local businesses, understanding crime rates can help ensure you do not become the victim of a theft or burglary. For those facing criminal charges, understanding local stats can be helpful when building a legal defense strategy with your attorney.
FAQs
Is Brooklyn a Good or Bad Area?
Brooklyn, like most locations, has both good and bad neighborhoods within it. New York has lower crime rates compared to other urban locations. The danger of Kings County is about average when looking at violent and major crime rates. Brooklyn’s major crime rate, compared to the other boroughs in New York City, is lower than the Bronx and Manhattan but higher than Queens and Staten Island. Brooklyn has a violent crime rate lower than the Bronx and about the same as Manhattan.
What Is the Crime Rate in Park Slope, Brooklyn?
The overall crime rate in Park Slope in Brooklyn is approximately 21.57 per 1,000 people. It is considered to be one of the safest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Park Slope is served by the 78th precinct, which reported the following offenses over 2023:
- –617 violation offenses
- –2,586 misdemeanor offenses, which include crimes such as second-degree aggravated harassment, DWI offenses, petit larceny, and misdemeanor dangerous drug offenses
- –414 felony offenses that were classed as non-seven major felonies, such as arson and fraud
- –1,176 seven-major-felony offenses, including burglary and felony assault
Is It Safe to Walk in Brooklyn at Night?
As with any city, there are some neighborhoods in Brooklyn that have a lower risk of danger than others. New York is known to be safer than most cities of a similar size, but visitors and residents should still remain cautious. Brooklyn has higher major crime rates than Queens or Staten Island but lower than the Bronx and much lower than Manhattan. As with any area with higher crime rates, it’s important to remain aware, and it is ideal to travel with a group.
What Is the Safest Area of Brooklyn?
Many of the safest neighborhoods in Brooklyn are located in the south and southwest of the borough, Gravesend Park, Dyker Heights, Bay 20th Street/Bath Avenue, and Shore Park Road.
Some of the safest neighborhoods include Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Bay Ridge, Kensington, Boerum Hill, Borough Park, Greenpoint, Midwood, and DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass). These neighborhoods are considered safer due to their lower rates of both property and violent crimes that are reported within the borough of Brooklyn.
Strong Legal Criminal Defense in Brooklyn
If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Brooklyn, the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, can help. It can be terrifying when you face criminal charges, whether you committed the crime or not. You need a skilled and effective Brooklyn criminal defense attorney. We can help you build a relevant, strong defense and stand up for your rights. Contact our team today.
