(07-04-2020 01:01 PM)pvk75 Wrote:  

(07-04-2020 10:30 AM)Rabid Squirrel Wrote:  

(07-04-2020 09:48 AM)pvk75 Wrote:  These rates-per-thousand are a statistical attempt to make a comparison out of something that doesn't have one. Population is the key factor in deriving these rates. Are you safer in Chicago than Toledo? No. The actual incidence/numbers of specific violent crimes are what matter.

(Per Boca Rocket:)
Homicides 2019:
Chicago 510 (thru 12/30/19)
Toledo 38

Duh ... 510 bodies is a lot more than 38.

You know how statistics work, right? 510 out of 2.7 million. 38 out of 270,000. That’s why you use a rate and not a total. It’s silly to even use a major city like Chicago. The towns the universities are in are much more similar than a major metropolitan city.

Yes I do, and that's why these pure per-thousand rates need definition. As you pointed out, the Toledo-Chicago rate comparison is "silly" without considering actual population. I was debating FBI crime statistics with some of the people who develop them 45 years ago, and won't get caught up in that again. Take a walk on the West Side or the South Side some night. Those are real people out there, not numbers.

BTW, took a walk on the Toldeo board and didn't see much of anything about this OP.

Stats are always just half a story. You just use them to whatever end they work for you. In this case it was just to tease the Toledo fans. I’d have zero concern being in Toledo. Now Kalamazoo on the other hand......