6 - Given the neighborhood 'grade', should I be concerned about vandalism and/or theft if/when I decide to rehab the property?

If you allow this, you are allowing theft from you and your family. 

It's a very small 850 sq ft, no basement SFH on a street of nearly identical houses in a decent neighborhood.

If it’s a concern, check out sites like CrimeReports, where you can see what types of crime (assault, theft, etc.) have occurred near an address.

OR a second idea, how about "rent-by-other-means" which I am of course referencing Contract For Deed sale, which is NOT a lease and therefor exempt from rent controls, yet can be written in such a way that operates all but identical to one, I'd argue even better because I can write what ever my heart desires into the terms.

A police report is generally for when someone commits a crime like theft or vandalism.

That’s why it’s of the highest importance that you properly screen your applicants before they become your tenants.A background check will verify a person’s identity and provide any eviction history.

There are thousands of lawsuits against HOA's for all kinds of abuses and thefts. 

There are a few benefits to having to buy flood insurance if your property is in the higher risk flood zone as identified by a flood map usually identities with an "A" or a "V" first benefit is that communities are incentivized to do flood mitigation which could save areas from flooding, second is that property owners are not risking a flood risk exposure by not having insurance to cover the gap.

I’ve identified two comps with almost identical floor plans right around the corner.