Another example was mentioned in a recent thread....in "Identity Crisis", Columbo starts up a chat with two little girls when he is waiting to meet "the Top Man" at Traveltown in Los Angeles' Griffith Park. Today he would be arrested. In "By Dawn's Early Light" we see the seeds of this when Columbo asks the girl who is leaving the girl's academy where Cadet Springer's girlfriend is. She tells Columbo "I'm not supposed to talk with strangers". THIS IS A TERRIBLE THING TO TEACH CHILDREN. It is teaching them that every other person in the is a potential threat to them or an enemy. Instead one should teach their children not to GO anywhere with a stranger.
Sad commentary on modern society.

Well stated YM -- the same thoughts cross my mind every time I watch those episodes, or encounter anything else that might remind me of neighborly trust.