Hope this is a short-term delay in getting started in REI - seems too unstable for newbies who are running on the leaner side.

If there is no avoiding an 8-10% vacancy rate almost regardless of your rents, because of other factors - poor neighborhood, unstable economy, etc - then you would probably be wise to just price right at market or maybe even a hair above and accept the vacancies.

Renters that are residents of my town tend to be on welfare or drugs, and have a low or unstable income. 

IF you are not a felon, mentally unstable or on a terrorist watch list, there are no laws preventing you from possessing a firearm in your personal residence. 

I deploy to unstable countries in support of the UN.

The idea that large, well-equipped organizations like major nation governments will fail, making currency unstable, and that shadow currencies with no track record and virtually no administration or organization will be a "safe" alternative, makes me laugh.

I myself grew up in what some would consider a "C" neighborhood (some, a "B") but was bordering some "A" neighborhoods and also very close to some "D" and even "F" neighborhoods (high crime, very unstable local government, dilapidated homes, huge loss of residential tax revenue) but it allowed me learn and know these neighborhoods and also become more comfortable, and "used" to them. 

We initially did some work in this class, but quickly decided that B-/B+ was our bread and butter - the hassles of Section 8 bureaucracy and high turnover just weren't worth it.As tempting as the price points may be, remember that the rougher the area, the more unstable your tenant pool.

I was once attacked by a stranger with mental illness and since then, I have an antenna to spot mentally unstable people.

Keep in mind  most Tenants are mentally unstable they are prone to over react and often make stuff up to fit their narrative . they are like young mischievous children with creative imaginations .