Times Square is a lively and fairly busy area both day and night. It is also a magnet for pickpockets and other petty thieves who blend into the crowded streets. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables tucked away and out of reach.

While New York City is statistically safer than many other large U.S. cities in 2026, certain areas require heightened vigilance. According to 2026 NYPD CompStat data, neighborhoods like Brownsville in Brooklyn and parts of the South Bronx (Mott Haven and Hunts Point) continue to see higher rates of violent crime and should generally be avoided by tourists. In Manhattan, travelers should be "street smart" in East Harlem and near major transit hubs like Penn Station and Port Authority late at night, where petty crime and aggressive panhandling can occur. Even in "safe" areas like Times Square or SoHo, 2026 reports show a rise in "grand larceny" (pickpocketing and phone snatching) targeting distracted tourists. The 2026 advice for NYC is to avoid walking through large parks (like Central Park or Prospect Park) alone after dark, keep your phone tucked away while exiting subways, and always stay in well-lit, populated corridors when navigating unfamiliar boroughs.