Is Borough Park safe?
Brooklyn, New York · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Borough Park as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Borough Park
“Go. Borough Park is one of the safest neighborhoods in New York City, characterized by exceptionally low rates of violent crime and active, self-contained street life. While it is predominantly residential and observant, visitors interested in cultural immersion, traditional Judaica, and kosher food will find it welcoming and secure.”
About the area
Borough Park is a dense, culturally distinct neighborhood in southwestern Brooklyn home to one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities in the world. Its primary commercial arteries along 13th, 16th, and 18th Avenues are filled with specialty grocers, bakeries, clothing boutiques, and bookshops, while residential blocks feature tightly packed multi-family homes.
- Cultural Enclave
- Family-Friendly
- Bustling Retail Corridors
- Dense Urban
Walking and biking in Borough Park
Walk score: 92/100 · Bike score: 72/100
Citi Bike docking stations are distributed across the neighborhood, and the historic Ocean Parkway Greenway lies just along the eastern border, offering a direct protected path to Prospect Park or Coney Island.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Ranks among the lowest precincts in New York City for violent crime, robbery, and random assaults.
- Bustling pedestrian activity on commercial corridors provides strong natural surveillance throughout the day and evening.
- Exceptional community solidarity and well-established local emergency volunteer services.
Cons
- Heavy traffic congestion, frequent double-parking, and narrow roadways create hazards for pedestrians and drivers.
- Nearly all neighborhood commerce shuts down completely from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening for Shabbat.
- Census data indicates high poverty rates and crowded housing conditions relative to national medians.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in Borough Park, with virtually no encampments and negligible panhandling on the main commercial corridors.
What Borough Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are bustling early with school buses, commuters, and opening storefronts, feeling secure and energetic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Sidewalks are heavily populated with shoppers, parents, and delivery traffic, presenting minimal street safety risk.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Commercial avenues remain active and brightly lit outside of the Sabbath, offering a safe walking environment.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Residential side streets quiet down significantly, and while streets feel deserted, violent crime remains remarkably rare.
Transit, parking and getting around
The MTA serves the area with the D train along New Utrecht Avenue and the F train along McDonald Avenue, supplemented by the B11, B16, and B35 cross-town bus routes.
Street parking is notoriously difficult due to dense residential demand and frequent double-parking on commercial avenues; public parking garages are rare and pricey.
Things to do in Borough Park
- Explore the bakery and gourmet grocery counters along 13th Avenue for fresh challah, babka, and kosher delicacies.
- Visit Eichler's Judaica to browse one of the nation's largest collections of Jewish books, art, and ceremonial objects.
- Take an architectural walk along 14th and 15th Avenues to observe the distinct multi-generational brick home designs.
Local favorites
- Presser's Kosher Bakery · Bakery · 4.6★ (320)A long-standing staple offering traditional rugelach, babka, pastries, and fresh-baked breads.
- Eichler's · Bookstore & Judaica · 4.7★ (540)A sprawling neighborhood anchor for religious literature, ceremonial crafts, gifts, and seasonal items.
- Chababbik · Middle Eastern Restaurant · 4.4★ (210)Casual kosher grill serving charcoal-grilled kebabs, shawarma, and fresh Mediterranean dips.
Neighborhoods near Borough Park
Common questions about Borough Park
Is Borough Park safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Borough Park a good place to live?
On safety, Borough Park scores 85/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Borough Park?
Walk score 92/100 and bike score 72/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Borough Park are safer?
Dyker Heights (87) score higher nearby.
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