Is Jamaica, Queens Safe in 2026?
Based on 11,940 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 10 shooting incidents, and 13,596 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Jamaica is above the Queens average for crime and trending safer (5% fewer incidents year-over-year).
Jamaica is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 0% of the borough. Incidents are trending down with 11,940 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 18, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
11,940
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
10
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
1,572
3,572 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↓ 5%
5% fewer incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 1,910 | 16.0% |
| harrassment 2 | 1,605 | 13.4% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 1,179 | 9.9% |
| dangerous drugs | 882 | 7.4% |
| other offenses related to theft | 739 | 6.2% |
| felony assault | 670 | 5.6% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 634 | 5.3% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 605 | 5.1% |
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
9,845
140.6 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
249
3.6 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
905
12.9 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Heat/Hot Water
2,597
37.1 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
7,617
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
2,848
37% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
4,630
61% of total
How Safe Is Jamaica Compared to Other Queens Neighborhoods?
Queens Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Neck | 622 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 87% |
| Middle Village | 965 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 80% |
| Fresh Meadows | 982 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 80% |
| Kew Gardens | 988 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 79% |
| Whitestone | 1,003 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 79% |
| Jamaica Estates | 1,008 | 2 | Much Safer Than Average | 79% |
| Glendale | 1,138 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 76% |
| Bayside | 1,182 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 75% |
| Rego Park | 1,250 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Howard Beach | 1,251 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Ozone Park | 2,378 | 4 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Richmond Hill | 2,937 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 69% |
| College Point | 1,491 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 69% |
| Maspeth | 1,639 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 66% |
| Briarwood | 1,615 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 66% |
| Woodside | 1,767 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 63% |
| Sunnyside | 2,308 | 0 | Average | 52% |
| Long Island City | 2,523 | 0 | Average | 47% |
| Astoria | 4,862 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Corona | 2,673 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Ridgewood | 2,735 | 2 | Higher Than Average | 43% |
| Rockaway Beach | 2,770 | 10 | Higher Than Average | 42% |
| Forest Hills | 3,877 | 1 | Much Higher Than Average | 19% |
| Flushing | 4,843 | 3 | High Activity Area | 0% |
| Jackson Heights | 5,229 | 0 | High Activity Area | 0% |
| Elmhurst | 6,283 | 2 | High Activity Area | 0% |
| Jamaica (this page) | 11,940 | 10 | 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 Jamaica.
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 Jamaica only against other NTAs within Queens, 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 Jamaica Safety
Is Jamaica safe?
Jamaica is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 11,940 crime incidents were recorded, including 10 shooting incidents. Jamaica is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 0% of the borough. Incidents are trending down with 11,940 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Jamaica?
The most common crimes in Jamaica are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (1,910 incidents, 16% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (1,605 incidents, 13.4% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (1,179 incidents, 9.9% of total).
Is Jamaica safer than the Queens average?
Jamaica is safer than 0% of Queens neighborhoods. It had 149% more incidents than the borough average (11,940 vs. a borough average of 4,800).
How has crime changed in Jamaica?
Crime in Jamaica has improved by 5% year-over-year, dropping from 12,570 to 11,940 incidents. The trend is classified as "improving."
What do 311 complaints say about Jamaica?
311 data shows 9,845 Very High complaints, 249 Low complaints, and 905 Moderate complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Jamaica safe at night?
Night safety in Jamaica varies by block. About 33.1% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Jamaica recorded 10 shooting incidents in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Jamaica safe for families?
For families considering Jamaica: the neighborhood recorded 9,845 noise complaints (very high for Queens) and 249 rodent reports. It ranks in the 0th percentile for safety in Queens. Family-friendliness also depends on schools, parks, and building quality — use DwellCheck to evaluate a specific address.
What is the safest neighborhood in Queens?
Safety varies across Queens neighborhoods. Jamaica ranks at the 0th percentile with 11,940 incidents. Compare all Queens 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 Jamaica at night?
Jamaica is classified as "High Activity Area" by NYPD CompStat data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 10 shooting incidents and 11,940 total crime incidents — 149% more 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 Jamaica dangerous?
By NYPD data, Jamaica is rated "High Activity Area" — safer than 0% of Queens neighborhoods. 11,940 crime incidents over 12 months, improved by 5% year-over-year, dropping from 12,570 to 11,940 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 Jamaica 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 Jamaica a good place to live?
Jamaica scores in the 0th percentile for safety in Queens. Jamaica is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 0% of the borough. Incidents are trending down with 11,940 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 Jamaica to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in Jamaica
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Jamaica.
Search an Address in Jamaica