By STEVE LOSKA

Recently, during a visit to Mr. Bencriscutto's office I noticed what appeared to be a very expensive walkie‑talkie with a large antenna buzzing quietly behind the dean's desk. It is very curious to note that the school security guard has a walkie‑talkie similar to the one in the dean's office. Now no one has come right out and said what all the radio equipment is for, but a friend of mine who tried to leave school early found himself being chased by both the security guard and Mr. Bencriscutto. Either our dean just happened to be out in the parking lot at the time or he was alerted.

I feel that if radio equipment is being used to catch students attempting to leave school early, at the least the administration should notify the student body. If students were aware of this "big brother system," it would serve as a deterrent to students leaving school early; but by not informing the student body of the new system, it is clear that the administration is more interested in catching students than stopping them.

This sort of policing is probably costing the taxpayers more than it is worth, as the radio equipment being used is not cheap and the new system doesn't seem to be cutting down the problem. Of course, it's good to know that Maine West is one of the best prisons around, but I think it would be even nicer if the taxpayers' money was spent on educating rather than policing.