If the crime is higher per person, but the crimes are several miles away then why would that be a problem for me?

Compared to lower crimes per person, but the crimes are happening on my street.

If the crimes are happening closer to me I'm more likely to be affected by it in some way.

Higher rate per person means it is literally more likely to happen to you.

High rate per area but low rate per person means I guess that you're more likely to be a witness. Low rate per area but high rate per person means you're likely to be a victim.

I also think that whether or not you end up being a victim has a lot more to do than simply crimes per person.

I don't think whether you end up a victim is evenly distributed to every single person.

I think that the way you live and act and guard against things can affect your personal chances differently and that physical proximity can end up playing a role.