New York : Safety by City
- Albany
- Binghamton
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Cooperstown
- Elmira
- Fair Haven
- Greenport Village
- Ithaca
- Jamestown
- Lake George
- Lake Placid
- Lewisboro
- Long Island
- Manhattan
- Mt Vernon
- New Paltz
- New Rochelle
- New York City
- Niagara Falls
- Oswego
- Poughkeepsie
- Queens
- Rochester
- Rye
- Saranac Lake
- Saratoga Springs
- Schenectady
- Seneca Falls
- Shelter Island
- Sleepy Hollow
- Syracuse
- Utica
- Watertown
- Watkins Glen
- White Plains
- Yonkers
If you live or have visited Long Island, New York, you know how many fun things there are to do, great places to eat, beautiful beaches, and a lot of history to enjoy.
There are many historical landmarks in the area and those visiting the area have many options for a full day and partial day tours.
There are several wineries in the area that offer tours and wine tastings.
Beer drinkers will also enjoy tastings at one of the many breweries.
Of course, many people don’t want a fast-paced vacation and prefer to enjoy their day walking along the shores of the many beautiful beaches found around the island.
Long Island is a great place to visit.
Warnings & Dangers in Long Island
OVERALL RISK: LOW
According to Zippboxx.com, Long Island, New York, is the safest place to live and visit in the entire New York area. Nassau County was ranked as the safest county in the entire United States in 2020. This rating is based on accidents, community spending, health/emergency services as well as distances/time to emergency services. Here we will break down different areas and ratings.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
There are many transportation services available on Long Island. In 1993, the HELP program was started to help motorists and public transportation drivers/riders on Long Island. In 2018, HELP assisted nearly 21,000 drivers on the island. Today, one of the biggest issues Long Island experiences is the possible spread of COVID and weather interruptions. The actual crime is very, very small when it comes to public transportation.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
No specific data shows the risk of pickpockets on Long Island. Research showed no statistics. Since there is not a lot of crime overall on Long Island, we would infer that there is a low risk of pickpocket danger on Long Island.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
According to USA Today, Residents of Long Island can suffer from various weather and natural disasters. Here is an overview: • There has only been one earthquake on Long Island that registered a magnitude of 3.5 or above. • There have been 6,037 extreme weather events within 50 miles of Long Island City, NY from 1950 to 2010: Here is the breakdown: • Thunderstorms with the wind: 2,122 • Blizzards: 7 • Flooding: 1,252 • Extreme cold: 43 • Hail: 594 • Ice storms: 17 • Wildfires: 26 • Fog: 21 • Extreme heat: 84 • Winter storms: 93
MUGGING RISK: LOW
According to Newsday.com, assaults rose in Nassau from 364 in 2019 to 396 last year. There is no specific information on muggings, just for assaults. Some surmise that the overall crime reduction may be caused because many people were home and many businesses closed as a result of COVID-19.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
According to the Suffolk County NY government, there is currently a low risk of terrorist risk. The county just implemented a new system that doesn’t use the color code that most people got used to following 9/11. While the area does have a comprehensive emergency notification plan in place, as well as a Hazmat plan in case of emergency.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
There is a risk of scams no matter where you live, but there are many, high-profile reports of illegal scams on Long Island. Here are a few that hit the news: · Scammed: Long Island woman lost $500G and her dream in a new home • SEC Charges Long Island Investment Professional in $8 Million Scam Targeting Long-Standing Brokerage Customers • Nassau County Man Accused Of Defrauding Owners Of Two Brownstones
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
According to the Daily Voice, even during the burgeoning crime waves brought on by COVID-19, many areas on Long Island are considered some of the safest. The newspaper states that Northport, located in Suffolk County, was on the list of the safest communities on the top 10 list. It has a crime rate of 0.0 crimes per 1,000 residents.
TAP WATER RISK: HIGH
According to recent reports from local news outlets ABC 7 New York, members of the Long Island congressional delegation have asked for funding to improve water quality. Many people that reside on Long Island refuse to drink tap water and insist on drinking bottled water. A study by the New York Public Interest Research Group found that Long Island has the worst water in NY. Nassau County has the highest level of cancer-causing contaminants in its water. Contaminates like polyflouraklyl and 1,4-dioxane. These carcinogens can cause liver and kidney damage and are particularly dangerous for infants and developing fetuses.
Safest Places to Visit in Long Island
Long Island has a lot to offer tourists.
It is also considered to be one of the safest areas in New York.
East Hampton is New York’s safest city with a crime rate of 85 per 1,000.
The property crime rate is just 11.24 per 1,000.
Additional safe spots include Port Washington, which had five crimes in 2017; Floral Park has .56 per 1,000 violent and property crimes.
In all, New York’s violent crime rate is the lowest in the country and 5th in property crimes.
In addition to being a safe place to go, there is also plenty to do.
Here are some of the top tourists’ locations:
- Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum
- Belmont Park Racetrack
- Parrish Art Museum
- Montauk Point Lighthouse
- Long Island Children’s Museum
Places to Avoid in Long Island
Long Island is made up of many cities and smaller towns.
Here is a list of some of the most dangerous cities on Long Island.
When traveling it is best to avoid the following areas.
Hempstead Village
Hempstead is located in Nassau County on Long Island.
The population was 55,113 in 2019 according to the U.S. Census.
It is the most populated village in the area.
The number of violent crimes is 853.25 violent crimes per 100,000.
Freeport Village
Freeport is in Nassau County on the South Shore of New Island.
In 2010, the population was 43,713, the second largest village in New York.
Freeport Village had 354.2 violent crimes out of 100,000 people.
Riverhead Town
Riverhead town is in Suffolk County on the north shore of Long Island.
It has been considered the county seat of the county.
Long Beach
Nassau County is home to Long Beach, which is located in the center area of the Long Beach Barrier Island, off Long Island’s Long Shore.
The population was 33,275 in 2019.
They experience 134.03 crimes per 100,000 residents.
Southampton Town
Southampton is located in Suffolk County on Long Island.
It was named after the Earl of Southampton.
In 2010, 3,109 people were living in Southampton.
They reported 127.35 crimes per 100,000.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Long Island
- Dress Accordingly – Long Island is freezing in the winter! so wear some warm clothes before you go.
- Don’t walk alone at night – As with any major city, there are criminals, and walking alone at night doesn’t always end well. Best to be careful and travel in groups, if you can’t, it’s safer to take a ride with a ride-sharing app such as Uber or Lyft or just take a cab.
- Follow COVID-19 Protocols – New York is a democrat-ruled state and has a lot of COVID regulations and mandates popping up left and right, best to check the current updates on Google before traveling there.
- Stick to your lane – Traffic is crazy in Long Island and it can be dangerous. Keep your wits and watch out when you are on the roads. If you are planning or renting a bicycle, make sure you only ride it in the right lane, you can get a fine if you don’t, not to mention, this is the way in Long Island so that is what the people there are most familiar with.
- Drink on private property – It’s no secret that open liquor is against the law in New York state, cops have been known to enforce it regularly, so drink in bars or your hotel room/apartment/etc, don’t drink in the street.
- Download offline maps – You can use Google Maps for this, although other apps might offer this option as well. Downloading maps to use offline helps in case there is no connection or Wi-Fi so you can keep enjoying and navigating Long Island.
- Lock your car – Urban places with high population densities like Long Island are known for car theft in the U.S. it’s best to lock your car and make sure no valuables are in clear view so no one is tempted to break in your car.
- Trust your gut – Sometimes in a crowded area, you might feel like something is off. Trust that feeling and don’t take any chances, be aware of your surroundings and make sure it’s not a scheme by pickpocketing thieves.
- Take a guided tour – There is so much to see while visiting Long Island! Take a guided tour with a local tour guide who knows the area, you can learn so much!
- Have Fun – Make sure you are safe at all times, but remember Long Island has a rich history and amazing places to explore, go have fun!
So... How Safe Is Long Island Really?
Overall, Long Island is one of the safest spots you would want to visit in New York state.
There are many wonderful entertainment venues, restaurants, retail outlets, and a very good quality of life.
The numbers of personal, violent, and residential crimes are all very low.
No matter what historical landmark, vineyard, retail outlet, or beach, no matter where you would like to travel on Long Island, chances are you will be safe.
So look through your favorite tourist guide and decide on what places you would like to visit while visiting Long Island.
Here is an overview and facts about Long Island and all it has to offer, according to LongIsland.com:
- The 2013 U.S. Census showed that Long Island is the most populated island in the U.S.
- Montauk Point Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in New York State.
- Long Island is 118 miles long and 23 miles wide.
- Long Island Gold Coast was the location of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby. The neighborhood of Glen Cove was the first community to have phone services.
- The Long Island Rail Road is the oldest and busiest commuter railroad in North America, operating under its original name.
- Many musicians are from Long Island, including Twisted Sister, Mariah Carey, Billy Joel, and Blue Oyster Cult, among others.
- There are over 120 public school districts on Long Island; six public universities and 12 private colleges.
- Long Island is home to more than 10 microbreweries and 12 wineries.
- The Hauppauge Industrial Park is the largest and busiest on the East Coast. It employs 71,000 people and 1,300 companies.
- The Belmont Stakes is run at Belmont Park on Long Island.
- The famed Amityville Horror House was located on Long Island; it has had its address changed numerous times.
- Suffolk County on the east end of the island is home to numerous pumpkin farms.
How Does Long Island Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Long Island | 83 |
| Baltimore | 56 |
| Boston | 67 |
| Washington DC | 56 |
| New York City | 67 |
| Detroit | 56 |
| San Diego | 67 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
| Toronto (Canada) | 81 |
| Melbourne (Australia) | 80 |
Useful Information
Visas
If you are not a citizen of the U.S. you will need a visa. There are three different types of visas: • A temporary visa (tourist visa) • Green card (for permanent residence) • Student visa (allows the holder to attend school)
Currency
American currency comes in several denominations: • Paper bills come in $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations. In the U.S. there are no longer printed bills over $100.00. Paper currency features enhanced security features, making it more difficult to counterfeit. • Coins are issued in coin form in the following denominations: .01, .10, .25, .50, and $1 coins.
Weather
Long Island enjoys four seasons. Summers are hot and sunny with some humidity, and winters can be cold and snowy. • The hottest month is July with a high of around 82 degrees. • The coldest month is January with a low of 17 degrees. • The rainiest months are March, June, and December. • The most snow occurs from November to April.
Airports
There are three airports in the New York area. They include: • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) • LaGuardia Airport (LGA) • Newark International Airport (EWR) There is a municipal airport located on Long Island, the Long Island MacArthur Airport. The airport is located in Islip, New York, 50 miles outside of New York City. It serves the residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, primarily.
Travel Insurance
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has made airlines and tour businesses more liberal in their cancellation and rebooking policies. It is always smart to get travel insurance for personal and business travel. It is always a good idea to protect yourself from medical, natural, weather, and other conditions that can delay or cause canceled flights.
Long Island Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 5 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 21 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 19 | 13 | 8 |
| Low °C | -4 | -4 | -1 | 5 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 9 | 3 | -1 |
| High °F | 41 | 43 | 50 | 61 | 70 | 79 | 84 | 84 | 77 | 66 | 55 | 46 |
| Low °F | 25 | 25 | 30 | 41 | 50 | 61 | 68 | 66 | 59 | 48 | 37 | 30 |
