USA here. I like in one of the areas with the lowest cost to living in the USA (Kentucky). I just paid my daughter’s fall tuition to the University of Kentucky yesterday. It’s a state school which accepts 95% of those who apply. Average SAT ~1100. (My point, by no means is it a selective school.) Her tuition for one semester was $6851 or 6275 €. This does not include housing, food, or living expenses.
I don’t want to get into USA vs anyone else, as everyplace is different, with their own areas that make them stand out or not. However when it comes to post-secondary education and healthcare in terms of COST (not quality) the USA quantitatively lags well behind Western Europe.
Overall I am always for more transparency with those in positions of authority. I will offer a piece of anecdotal evidence why encrypted radios might be used, besides the personal details that everyone mentions.
I work in a small high school (14 - 18 YO) in the USA. In lieu actually tackling the problem of school violence, out state has mandated a police officer in every school. (Without funding it, of course, but that’s another post.)
Our SRO (School Resource Officer) is completely awesome and happens to be female. Before she worked for the school, she worked a regular patrol. On patrol she says she would regularly be at a scene and look up to find a random guy (always a guy) sitting in his car watching. She questioned several, “Why are you here?” And the answer was always super creepy. Basically “You are a small girl out here all alone. I’m just trying to keep you safe.”
So for that encrypted radios would help disperse the stalkers with scanners.