I'm from Kennett and still have many friends there. I'm also there frequently to visit. That is pure hyperbole about it being so dangerous. There is absolutely no problem with walking to the McDonald's from the airport unless you're doing it at 2am. In fact, you're pretty safe borrowing the courtesy car and driving it to the west side of town (short trip in a small town) to Bill's BBQ. The truth is there isn't anything between the airport and McDonalds. Walk up Airport Rd and east on 1st St (US-412). May be some traffic, but you don't even have to cross it to get to McDonalds.
While it may have some bad ratings and press, it really isn't so horrible. I don't know I've ever felt unsafe there, especially staying on the main thoroughfares and in public places. Sure, if you go off into the "bad" parts of town, the Section 8 housing or looking for trouble, you will find it. It is a typical rural economically depressed farming town.