Is it okay to walk in Dorchester, Boston?

Crime reported to the police, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026

High for Boston

Reported crime around the center of Dorchester is higher than in 90% of areas in Boston, taking into account how many people are usually around. 282 incidents were reported here in these 12 months.

“Here” is the area of about 0.7 km² (0.3 square miles) around the center of Dorchester.

See Dorchester on the map

The map shows every block, by day and at night, and gives walking directions that avoid high-crime areas.

By kind of crime

Kind	Level	Compared with the rest of Boston
ViolentHomicide, sexual assault, robbery, assault, kidnapping	High	higher than in 91% of areas
PropertyBurglary, theft, shoplifting, vandalism, arson	High	higher than in 88% of areas
VehicleCar theft and break-ins	Moderate	higher than in 70% of areas
Weapons & drugsWeapons, drug and public-order offenses	High	higher than in 92% of areas

Day and night

By day (6am–6pm): High, higher than in 92% of areas.
At night (6pm–6am): High, higher than in 86% of areas.

Most reports here are from 5pm–6pm.

What gets reported here

Shoplifting: 91 (32%)
Vandalism: 40 (14%)
Simple assault: 39 (14%)
Aggravated assault: 21 (7%)
Theft: 21 (7%)

Following the city-wide trend over the last 6 months.

Around Dorchester

The areas right next to it range from moderate to very high.

Fields Corner Very high
Ashmont Moderate
Savin Hill Moderate
Uphams Corner Moderate
Neponset Very low
Lower Mills Moderate
Mattapan High
Forest Hills Very low

How to read this

It shows crime reported to the police. Many crimes are never reported.
Levels compare areas within Boston. The same level in another city does not mean the same.
It is not a prediction, and it says nothing about any person or building.
Please do not use it for decisions about housing, lending, insurance or employment.