BEHAVE ON BUS; YOU COULD BE ON VIDEO

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 13, 1993                   TAG: 9302130026
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY  
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Short
BEHAVE ON BUS; YOU COULD BE ON VIDEO
The people in George Orwell's novel "1984" always behaved because they never knew when Big Brother was electronically watching them.
Youngsters riding on Pulaski County school buses can now understand that feeling.
So far, nine buses have been equipped with camera boxes that videotape the behavior of riders. And that behavior has improved dramatically, according to Ron Nichols, supervisor of operations for the school system.
"It's made a world of difference," he told the county School Board Wednesday night when he demonstrated the device.
Actually, there is only one videotape recorder. But bus riders can never be sure whether it is in a particular box on a particular day, so they usually behave as though it is always there.
"You can't really tell if the camera's in there or not," Nichols said.
A bus driver thanked the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors at its meeting in Snowville Monday night for providing the money for the camera.
The difference in the kids' behavior has been unbelievable, she said.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB