The Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in New York City
New York City has come a long way since the dark times of crime in the 1990s when it was the “murder capital” of the United States. In fact, today it isn’t uncommon to hear in the news that NYC is the safest big city in the United States, and the statistics back that up with a crime rate per capita that is lower than the national average—something almost unheard of among big cities.
However, even though violent crime is relatively rare and the city on a whole is much safer than other big cities, that doesn’t mean that the city doesn’t have its fair share of rough neighborhoods, petty crime, or other problems related to safety.
Whenever you have millions of people mixing together, you’re bound to get a few bad apples, even in the Big Apple. The following are the 10 most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City according to crime statistics and ranked according to per capita crime.
What are the Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in NYC?
- Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill & Dumbo
- Chelsea & Hell’s Kitchen
- Bedford-Stuyvesant
- Downtown
- Fort Greene & Clinton Hill
- Flatiron
- Brownsville
- Hunts Point
- Greenwich Village & Meatpacking District
- Midtown
Some of these neighborhoods may come as a surprise to both visitors and hardened New Yorkers alike, when places like Harlem have always conjured of images of being the most dangerous even though the statistics don’t back that up.
Indeed, many of the most dangerous areas are some of the most popular and heavily visited neighborhoods in the city. For instance, Midtown sees a huge number of tourists, workers, and foot traffic, which in turn can attract those who are looking to prey upon people in one of the most heavily trafficked neighborhoods in the city.
There are a variety of dangerous or violent crimes that happen throughout these neighborhoods, but one of the most common is the grab-and-go mugging of valuables like purses, jewelry, or cell phones. While there’s no reason to be afraid to walk around most of New York City, especially Manhattan, in day-light hours, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise a little more self-awareness when passing through some of these high crime neighborhoods.
Many times, muggers will station themselves in close proximity to subway stations, allowing them to make a quick getaway and the ability to quickly use your credit cards to purchase thousands of tickets for resale before you have a chance to cancel your cards. As in many other places, single women at night are an obvious target, but are by no means the only victims, and it is important to remember that these types of robberies occur more frequently during economic downturns.
While petty and violent crime on the whole may be down compared to decades past, that doesn’t mean that it is completely non-existent, which is why you shouldn’t let yourself get lulled into a false sense of security and make yourself an easy target, even in the safest big city in the United States.
Falling victim to crime can be a traumatizing experience which can stay with you for many years. Many victims not only face economic damages in the form of lost property, but some may also face physical harm or injury, even from grab and go muggings which may result in victims being thrown to the ground violently.
Anyone who is the victim of a crime in New York City has the right to file a civil suit seeking compensation for injuries sustained as a result of a crime. While suing the thief directly may prove difficult to ultimately receiving compensation, there are sometimes other avenues to be explored. Take, for instance, the case of a victim of an assault and home invasion in her apartment due to a landlord who failed to repair the broken lock on the front door, she may be able to file a lawsuit against her landlord for damages.
The fact is, civil lawsuits may be the only recourse for victims to receive compensation and may also give victims their “day-in-court” whether or not there was a full criminal trial. These civil lawsuits do not require proof to be beyond reasonable doubt, as in criminal cases.
While not every civil case will be successful against criminals, you should be sure to speak with an experienced attorney who can advise you about your legal rights and recourses before you make any final decisions. The team at Greenberg & Stein has more than 75 years of combined experience and will fight to make sure you receive the compensation you need and the justice you deserve.
We offer free, 24/7 legal consultations and can walk you through what legal options are available to you if you’ve been the victim of crime in New York City. Contact us today at 888-411-3966.