New York University’s Furman Center for Real Estate & Urban Policy recently concluded that as little as three or more foreclosures on a block can elevate crime levels in a neighborhood.

That assertion is the result of a study in which the center examined the impact of foreclosure filings and auctions on neighborhood blocks across New York City.

The policy center concluded that a foreclosure start in a previous quarter may cause a slight 0.7% uptick in overall crime, a 1.5% increase in violent crime and a 0.8% increase in public order crimes.

A foreclosure auction has a greater impact, with every auction potentially leading to a 1.3% increase in total crime, a 2.6% rise in violent crime and a 2.6% rise in public order crime.

Click here to access the full report from the Furman Center.