Is Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn Safe in 2026?
Based on 2,604 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 5 shooting incidents, and 5,552 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Sheepshead Bay is below the Brooklyn average for crime and trending safer (11% fewer incidents year-over-year).
Sheepshead Bay is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 44% of the borough. Incidents are trending down with 2,604 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers December 2024 – December 2025 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated April 26, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
2,604
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
5
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
407
968 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↓ 11%
11% fewer incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 399 | 15.3% |
| petit larceny | 361 | 13.9% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 273 | 10.5% |
| grand larceny | 232 | 8.9% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 187 | 7.2% |
| miscellaneous penal law | 176 | 6.8% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 147 | 5.6% |
| dangerous drugs | 125 | 4.8% |
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
2,909
83.1 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
162
4.6 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
658
18.8 per 1,000 residents
High
Heat/Hot Water
1,823
52.1 per 1,000 residents
Very High
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
736
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
334
45% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
395
54% of total
How Safe Is Sheepshead Bay Compared to Other Brooklyn Neighborhoods?
Brooklyn Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor Terrace | 433 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 93% |
| Prospect Heights | 876 | 2 | Much Safer Than Average | 86% |
| Brooklyn Heights | 989 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 85% |
| Kensington | 1,100 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 83% |
| Brighton Beach | 1,272 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 80% |
| Midwood | 1,414 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 78% |
| Clinton Hill | 1,338 | 3 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Ditmas Park | 1,648 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Greenpoint | 1,925 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 70% |
| Marine Park | 1,908 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 70% |
| Park Slope | 2,290 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 64% |
| Bay Ridge | 3,295 | 0 | Average | 49% |
| Williamsburg | 3,515 | 1 | Average | 45% |
| Fort Greene | 3,321 | 6 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Sunset Park | 3,565 | 4 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Sheepshead Bay (this page) | 2,604 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| East Flatbush | 11,900 | 29 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Prospect Lefferts Gardens | 3,045 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Carroll Gardens | 3,958 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 38% |
| Canarsie | 3,962 | 12 | Higher Than Average | 38% |
| Flatbush | 4,068 | 7 | Higher Than Average | 36% |
| Bushwick | 8,439 | 12 | Higher Than Average | 34% |
| East New York | 13,735 | 27 | Higher Than Average | 28% |
| Crown Heights | 9,739 | 19 | Much Higher Than Average | 24% |
| Coney Island | 5,745 | 9 | Much Higher Than Average | 10% |
| Downtown Brooklyn | 6,295 | 4 | High Activity Area | 2% |
| Bed-Stuy | 13,299 | 28 | High Activity Area | 0% |
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 Sheepshead Bay.
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 Sheepshead Bay only against other NTAs within Brooklyn, 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 Sheepshead Bay Safety
Is Sheepshead Bay safe?
Sheepshead Bay is rated "Higher Than Average" — Above-average incident activity. Over the past 12 months, 2,604 crime incidents were recorded, including 5 shooting incidents. Sheepshead Bay is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 44% of the borough. Incidents are trending down with 2,604 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Sheepshead Bay?
The most common crimes in Sheepshead Bay are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (399 incidents, 15.3% of total); 2. PETIT LARCENY (361 incidents, 13.9% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (273 incidents, 10.5% of total).
Is Sheepshead Bay safer than the Brooklyn average?
Sheepshead Bay is safer than 44% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. It had 19% fewer incidents than the borough average (2,604 vs. a borough average of 3,200).
How has crime changed in Sheepshead Bay?
Crime in Sheepshead Bay has improved by 11% year-over-year, dropping from 2,927 to 2,604 incidents. The trend is classified as "improving."
What do 311 complaints say about Sheepshead Bay?
311 data shows 2,909 Very High complaints, 162 Low complaints, and 658 High complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Sheepshead Bay safe at night?
Night safety in Sheepshead Bay varies by block. About 32.1% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Sheepshead Bay recorded 5 shooting incidents in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Sheepshead Bay safe for families?
For families considering Sheepshead Bay: the neighborhood recorded 2,909 noise complaints (very high for Brooklyn) and 162 rodent reports. It ranks in the 44th percentile for safety in Brooklyn. Family-friendliness also depends on schools, parks, and building quality — use DwellCheck to evaluate a specific address.
What is the safest neighborhood in Brooklyn?
Safety varies across Brooklyn neighborhoods. Sheepshead Bay ranks at the 44th percentile with 2,604 incidents. Compare all Brooklyn 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.
Can you walk around Sheepshead Bay at night?
Sheepshead Bay is classified as "Higher Than Average" by NYPD CompStat data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 5 shooting incidents and 2,604 total crime incidents — 19% fewer incidents than the borough average. Walking at night carries the same risk profile as anywhere in NYC: stay on commercial corridors with foot traffic, avoid empty side streets after midnight, and prefer subway lines that run 24/7.
Is Sheepshead Bay dangerous?
By NYPD data, Sheepshead Bay is rated "Higher Than Average" — safer than 44% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. 2,604 crime incidents over 12 months, improved by 11% year-over-year, dropping from 2,927 to 2,604 incidents. Block-level risk varies; check our address-level safety score for any specific street or building to weight NYPD incidents within a 250-meter radius.
What parts of Sheepshead Bay should I avoid?
NYPD CompStat reports incidents at the precinct level, not block-by-block, so a granular "avoid this street" answer isn't possible from public data alone. The most reliable signal at the block level is DwellCheck's address-level safety score, which weights NYPD incidents within a 250m radius of a specific building. As a general rule across all NYC neighborhoods: industrial blocks with no foot traffic are higher-risk than residential blocks; subway-station-adjacent commercial corridors are lowest-risk.
Is Sheepshead Bay a good place to live?
Sheepshead Bay scores in the 44th percentile for safety in Brooklyn. Sheepshead Bay is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 44% of the borough. Incidents are trending down with 2,604 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months. Whether it's a good fit depends on what you weight: families, solo renters, and remote workers prioritize different factors (noise, transit access, parks, building quality). Use DwellCheck's full livability page for Sheepshead Bay to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in Sheepshead Bay
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Sheepshead Bay.
Search an Address in Sheepshead Bay