Is it okay to walk in Lower East Side, New York City?

Crime reported to the police, Jul 2025 – Jun 2026

Moderate for New York City

Reported crime around the center of Lower East Side is higher than in 76% of areas in New York City, taking into account how many people are usually around. 1,404 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 Lower East Side.

See Lower East Side 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 New York City
ViolentHomicide, sexual assault, robbery, assault, kidnapping	Moderate	higher than in 72% of areas
PropertyBurglary, theft, shoplifting, vandalism, arson	High	higher than in 94% of areas
VehicleCar theft and break-ins	Very low	lower than in 72% of areas
Weapons & drugsWeapons, drug and public-order offenses	Moderate	higher than in 76% of areas

Day and night

By day (6am–6pm): Moderate, higher than in 74% of areas.
At night (6pm–6am): Moderate, higher than in 76% of areas.

Most reports here are from 7pm–8pm.

What gets reported here

Simple assault: 437 (31%)
Shoplifting: 320 (23%)
Theft: 206 (15%)
Vandalism: 143 (10%)
Burglary: 62 (4%)

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

Around Lower East Side

The areas right next to it range from low to high.

Chinatown Moderate
Five Points Moderate
Little Italy Moderate
Alphabet City Moderate
NoHo Low
SoHo Low
Foley Square Moderate
Dumbo Moderate

How to read this

It shows crime reported to the police. Many crimes are never reported.
Levels compare areas within New York City. 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.