Good news to start with: Although New York is often considered dangerous, it is, in fact, one of the safer cities in the USA. Most of the time, you merely need to use common sense, keep an eye on your personal belongings in crowded areas, and avoid less populated boroughs at night. The vast majority of people I spoke to about their visit to New York felt safe there.
-
What to Look out for in New York City
I was mugged by a motorcyclist in Buenos Aires who stole my phone and disappeared. Does this mean Buenos Aires is a dangerous city where everyone gets robbed? Honestly, I don’t think so; I was just unlucky. My view is that every city in the world holds a certain probability of something unfavorable happening. In some places, this probability is higher, and in others, lower. But we can always influence it by our behavior.
💡 Pickpockets
Pickpockets are most common in crowded places where they can easily blend in. That’s why I carry my backpack in front during rush hour on the subway, while watching street performers, or on busy streets. This way, it’s in plain sight, and it’s more considerate of passersby.
I keep my documents and other valuables in my backpack behind two zippers, making them relatively difficult to access. Once, as a joke, I carried an old wallet filled with shredded papers and loyalty cards in the open side pocket of my backpack. Nobody stole it.
💡 Places With No People
I feel safe in places where there are people, even in the middle of the night. Some might be drunk, homeless, or drug addicts, but with each additional person, the probability increases that someone will come to my aid if I’m in trouble. I perceive city outskirts, where there are few people, as significantly more dangerous.
The risk of encountering problems in these outlying districts is higher, but they aren’t very interesting for tourists and are typically avoided. To be safe, check out these tips on hotels in New York.
💡 Tourist Traps
Store prices are quoted tax-free, the free tickets to shows handed out in Times Square are not actually free, and there is a charge for photos with the cartoon characters. These are not scams in the strict sense, but if you’re not well-traveled, some things in New York may surprise you due to cultural differences. Read this article for an overview of the biggest tourist traps.
💡 Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
New Yorkers are often surprisingly friendly. Don’t hesitate to ask them for directions, train schedules, or even food recommendations. This advice also applies to police officers, who are numerous, especially in popular tourist areas.
💡 Don’t Act Like a Tourist
Tourists are easy targets because they are unfamiliar with their surroundings and are often caught off guard by cultural differences. Try to blend in with the crowd, walk confidently, and don’t make yourself an easy target. In my case, this approach is so effective that I frequently get stopped on the street by people asking for advice.
💡 Subway Safety
The New York City subway is safe. You don’t have to worry about traveling on it at night. If you’re uncomfortable, choose cars with as many people as possible, usually at the front.
In some stations, especially in Manhattan, parts of the platform are marked with a yellow and black “Off hours waiting area” sign. If waiting for an overnight train, move to this area, which is monitored by security cameras and equipped with a communicator for immediate contact with the dispatcher.
💡 Some Preventive Life Tips
My phone is set to automatically back up photos and videos to the cloud. So when my phone was stolen in Argentina, I didn’t lose any data. I also use phone data encryption, a fingerprint and password lock, and have remote phone location tracking enabled.
Also handy is the one-time payment card, whose number changes after each payment. That way, even if someone discovers the number, they can’t drain my account. I recommend you do the same.
-
Dangerous Neighborhoods in New York City
New York is safer than many comparably sized cities in the USA. Yet, it has both safe and less safe neighborhoods. When I’m anywhere in the world, I consider the probability of something happening to me. If it’s higher, I exercise more caution.
⛔ Dangerous Areas in the Bronx
The less safe areas are in the South Bronx near the Harlem River. Exercise increased caution in Mott Haven, Port Morris, Hunts Point, or Highbridge.
⛔ Dangerous Areas in Brooklyn
In terms of crime, the less safe areas of Brooklyn are around Lindenwood, Brownsville, or Red Hook. The southern part of Brooklyn is considered safer.
⛔ Dangerous Areas in Manhattan
According to the crime map, the less safe areas of Manhattan include Corlears Hook Park or East River Park to the south, or the blocks around Lexington Avenue to the north. I consider Times Square to be safe even at night.
⛔ Dangerous Areas in Queens
Areas in Queens with higher crime rates are scattered throughout the borough. For most tourists, these areas are out of their interest zone, such as Little Neck South, Long Island City, or Rosedale South.
⛔ Dangerous Areas in Staten Island
Areas in Staten Island with higher crime rates include Bloomfield, Rossville North, or the vicinity of Randolph Walker Park.
Discussion (1)
I wonder if it’s safe to take pictures at night, like on Wall Street. I’d like night shots of NY. :-)