New York City is one of the most popular destinations in the world. It’s home to more than 8 million residents and attracts nearly 60 million tourists annually. The city is famous for its vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and iconic buildings like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. But it also has a reputation for being a dangerous place filled with crime and murder.
Violent crime in New York City has decreased by 86% over the last 30 years.
Violent crime in New York City has decreased by 86% over the last 30 years. While violent crime is still a problem in some neighborhoods, it’s far less of an issue than it used to be. New York City is safer than many other major cities—San Diego and Los Angeles have higher violent crime rates per 100,000 residents.
The NYPD has about 36,000 officers on active duty at any given time, more than any other police force in the country. They’re also well-trained: NYPD officers receive more training per year than officers from most other metropolitan areas (2,300 hours compared with 1,200 hours). The NYPD also maintains many tourist attractions throughout New York City that need constant surveillance and protection during the day and night; they do this while maintaining a low profile not to scare off tourists or make them feel unsafe.
While New York is known for being a safe city, it’s essential to take precautions against petty crime.
While New York is known for being a safe city, it’s essential to take precautions against petty crime. That means:
- Don’t wave around your wallet or purse.
- Don’t leave valuables in plain sight in your car, even if you think the windows are tinted enough to keep them from being visible outside the vehicle (they aren’t).
- Keep expensive jewelry at home and wear essential jewelry when out in public to avoid attracting attention from potential thieves/robbers who might see you as an easy target for theft (and don’t flash cash around, either!).
- When walking at night, try not to walk alone; if possible, have another person accompany you so that someone can help watch over your belongings while looking for troublemakers lurking nearby (or call a cab).
New York City has the third largest police force in the country, with 36,000 uniformed officers and 4,500 civilian workers.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is the largest in the United States, with 36,000 uniformed officers and 4,500 civilian workers. That makes it larger than the Los Angeles and Chicago police departments combined.
The NYPD has been known to conduct random bag checks on any subway passengers who look suspicious or out of place; however, this type of activity has decreased since 2001 due to complaints that such searches were racially motivated.
Some of the most dangerous areas of New York City include parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
The most dangerous areas of New York City are found in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
Staten Island is also relatively safe but still has some very dangerous pockets. The areas of Brooklyn and Queens that were once considered “the bad part” have been changing with gentrification over the past few years. However, there remain some parts that you should avoid if you don’t want to run into trouble.
Because New York City is a popular tourist destination, it’s easy to become a victim of pickpocketing or bag snatching.
New York City is a popular tourist destination, so it’s easy to become a victim of pickpocketing or bag snatching. To avoid becoming a target, keep your bag close to you and avoid wearing jewelry. If someone asks for money or tries to engage in conversation with you on the street, say no—and keep walking!
Midtown Manhattan and below 14th Street is very safe for tourists.
Midtown Manhattan and below 14th Street is very safe for tourists. That’s because it’s one of the safest parts of New York City. The most dangerous areas of New York City include parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx (especially the far-east sections).
The most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City are Jamaica, Queens; Brownsville, Brooklyn; and East New York, Brooklyn. These areas have high crime rates and large populations of low-income families.
Many travelers consider New York City one of their favorite destinations.
- Many travelers consider New York City one of their favorite destinations.
- New York City is a popular tourist destination because it’s one of the most visited cities in the world. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates that over 60 million international visitors came to New York City in 2017 alone—and that doesn’t include domestic visitors, who are also a large part of NYC tourism! The city’s iconic attractions, like Times Square and Central Park, draw many people worldwide each year.
- Some people might worry about safety when visiting such an important city, but don’t let it stop you from going! With so many tourists coming through daily, you’ll find plenty of helpful resources if you are in danger or have questions about how things work there.
Conclusion
New York City is a fantastic place full of people from all over the world. It’s a city where you can find anything under the sun, from delicious ethnic food to great shopping and entertainment. The hustle and bustle may make it seem like something is happening at every corner, but it also means that crime rates are higher than in smaller towns or rural areas.