Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in NYC — 2026 Guide

Written by Vertex Security · June 2026 · Data source: NYPD CompStat 2025–2026 · 12 min read · Last updated: July 2026

This guide is written for property managers, building owners, and commercial developers in New York City who need to understand how crime data varies across the five boroughs — not because they want to avoid these neighborhoods, but because they manage or are developing properties in them and need to make informed decisions about security infrastructure.

We are Vertex Security. We install commercial security systems NYC buildings rely on across all five boroughs and Long Island, and we see the security challenges of NYC buildings directly. Everything in this guide is based on publicly available NYPD CompStat data.

How to Read NYC Crime Data

Before looking at any list of “dangerous neighborhoods,” it helps to understand what the numbers actually mean:

Population context. A neighborhood with many crimes but a large population may have a lower per-capita rate than a smaller area. Always look at crime per 1,000 residents, not just total incidents.

Crime type matters. Property crime (burglary, vehicle theft, robbery) is more directly relevant to commercial security decisions than overall crime rates.

Precinct-level data. NYPD CompStat data is reported at precinct level. A “dangerous neighborhood” in general terms may have significant internal variation block by block.

Data changes over time. A neighborhood’s reputation often lags its actual current statistics by several years — in either direction.

NYC Neighborhoods With Elevated Crime Rates — 2025–2026 Data

The Bronx

• Mott Haven and Port Morris (40th/41st Precincts) — consistently among the highest property and violent crime rates in the city. Large residential population and a significant commercial corridor along 3rd Avenue.
• Hunts Point (41st Precinct) — elevated rates across all crime categories. A major food distribution and industrial commercial hub.
• Fordham (46th/52nd Precincts) — active commercial corridor with elevated retail theft and robbery rates.

Brooklyn

• Brownsville (73rd Precinct) — among the highest violent crime rates in Brooklyn. Primarily residential with local commercial streets.
• East New York (75th Precinct) — elevated property crime, with active commercial development underway.
• Bedford-Stuyvesant (79th Precinct) — a transitional neighborhood with pockets of elevated crime alongside significantly gentrified blocks.

Manhattan

• East Harlem (23rd Precinct) — elevated rates relative to the rest of Manhattan, with significant residential and commercial stock.
• Washington Heights (33rd/34th Precincts) — active commercial corridor with elevated robbery rates.

Queens

• Jamaica (103rd Precinct) — elevated property and violent crime rates, with an active commercial district along Jamaica Avenue.
• South Jamaica (113th Precinct) — consistently elevated crime rates across categories.

Staten Island

• St. George and New Brighton (120th Precinct) — elevated relative to other Staten Island neighborhoods, with significant commercial activity near the ferry terminal.

What This Means for Commercial Property Security

Property managers and building owners in high-crime NYC neighborhoods are not powerless. The security infrastructure that consistently makes the largest difference:

Security cameras with remote monitoring. Cameras at every entry point, loading dock, and parking area, with remote access and motion alerts. Visible camera coverage significantly deters repeat incidents. See our security camera systems NYC page.

Access control for all entry points. Controlled entry — lobby access control, elevator control, and stairwell door control — dramatically reduces unauthorized access in multi-tenant buildings. See our access control systems NYC page.

Monitored alarm systems. A monitored alarm system with 24/7 dispatch response is particularly important for commercial properties that sit unoccupied overnight. See our alarm systems page.

Intercom and visitor verification. Lobby intercoms that require visitor identification before entry — the single most effective measure against tailgating and unauthorized access in high-traffic residential and mixed-use buildings.

The most common mistake we see in commercial properties in high-crime NYC neighborhoods is underinvestment in integrated security infrastructure. A single camera at the front door is not a security system. A properly integrated access control, camera, and alarm platform — designed for the building type and its crime profile — is. For sector-specific guidance, see our retail security NYC and property management security pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most dangerous borough in NYC?

Based on NYPD CompStat data, the Bronx consistently shows the highest rates of both violent and property crime per capita. However, crime rates vary dramatically within each borough — specific precincts in Brooklyn and Queens also rank among the highest-crime areas.

Secure Your NYC Commercial Property

Vertex Security provides a free on-site security assessment for commercial properties across all five boroughs and Long Island. We assess your building’s specific risks and design a system to address them.

→ Request a Free Security Assessment | 📞 212-586-3633
Serving businesses across New York City and the Tri-State Area.

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Vertex Security designs, installs, and maintains commercial security systems for buildings across all five boroughs and Long Island. Explore our commercial security systems or contact us for a free quote.