Mr. Poppovich is a widower who lives in his own house with a neat, well-kept yard. Mr. Poppovich is very angry at the kids in his changing neighborhood because they kick the soccer ball in his yard and crush his marigolds. He has threatened to shoot the kids. One day he comes out of his house with a shotgun. He fires the gun, hits and kills a teenager. Mr. Poppovich is under siege in his own home by angry, hate-filled neighbors.

This story, on an episode of Hill Street Blues several years ago, found officers Hill and Renko called to the scene. They radio for help and Lt. Henry Goldblum arrives. Goldblum negotiates with Mr. Poppovich and goes into the house to talk to him. During their conversation, Mr. Poppovich says to Goldblum, "This used to be a nice neighborhood. I could send my daugh…