The violent crime rate (number of violent crimes per 1,000 residents) in Meadowbrook is 60 percent higher now than it was four years ago. The corresponding increase for Parkdale is only 10 percent. These figures support the conclusion that residents of Meadowbrook are more likely to become victims of violent crime than are residents of Parkdale.

The argument above is flawed because it fails to take into account

• Achanges in the population density of both Parkdale and Meadowbrook over the past four years  
• Bhow the rate of population growth in Meadowbrook over the past four years compares to the corresponding rate for Parkdale  
• Cthe ratio of violent to nonviolent crimes committed during the past four years in Meadowbrook and Parkdale  
• Dthe violent crime rates in Meadowbrook and Parkdale four years ago  
• Ehow Meadowbrook's expenditures for crime prevention over the past four years compare to Parkdale's expenditures