Every week, Elma Police Chief Susan Shultz visits Elma High School to chat with students.

As she wanders through the cafeteria, she speaks with groups of students or one-on-one.

She calls it “Chomp with the Chief.” A Vidette reporter tagged along during a visit to the campus Thursday, Oct. 4. And we asked her some questions afterward. (Shultz’s comments have been edited to fit in the space provided):

Question: What are your goals for outreach efforts like Chomp with the Chief?

Answer: “My number one goal is to connect with the young people of Elma through open conversation,” she said of her visits to the school. “The hope is students recognize we care about all of them and want to see them succeed. I want them to see our department engaging with them in a positive manner and being a familiar face in school. Seeing law enforcement on campus for the positive moments as well as those where bad choices or mistakes have been made.”

Q: What response do you get from the kids?

A: “The Elma High School students in general have had a positive response to our presence at school. We are greeted with smiles, ‘Hi Chief’ and generally positive statements. There are students who are eager to share their successes as well as their goals for the future. When I sit and have lunch with the students our conversations can range from different questions about local laws to who’s going to win Friday Night’s game to sharing plans for weekend fun. There are opportunities for private conversations with students to encourage them through personal challenges and offering support if needed.”

Q: What other outreach efforts do you have?

A: “Other outreach efforts include: Participating in the Elma Middle School positive recognition awards — we attend the assemblies and participate in recognizing students who have made good choices and who are identified by school staff.

“We participate in the National Drug Take Back Day twice a year, the next being Oct. 27.

“I have an expectation that every officer/staff member of the Elma Police Department plan and participate in a community outreach event. We have three major events, The East County Citizen’s Academy in February; National Night Out in August; and ‘Pancakes, Pigs and Santa’ coming up this December. This is a breakfast with local law enforcement and Santa that includes a special gift for every child that attends. Last year’s event was a success with over 800 people attending. All of the events are supported and sponsored by local businesses.”

Q: What would you like the people of Elma to know about this and other programs?

A: “We are Elma’s police department and our motto is ‘Professionally Serve and Partnership with Integrity, Trust and Respect.’ As short staffed as we currently are, we do our best to protect our community while recognizing we are a growing community with increasing needs. Because we are a small department, our relationship with our community is vital for our success, and we will continue to participate in other community events. Together with our citizens, both young and mature, we can continue to make Elma a great place to live, play and visit. We are always looking for activities to participate in and get to know our citizens better every day.”

Michael Lang can be reached at 360-537-3936.

Students eat lunch Thursday, Oct. 4, at Elma High School in Elma. Photo by Michael Lang, Grays Harbor News Group

Photos by Michael Lang | The Vidette Elma Police Chief Susan Shultz (center) chats with high-schoolers during lunch Thursday, Oct. 4, at Elma High School in Elma. “There are opportunities for private conversations with students to encourage them through personal challenges and offering support if needed,” she said of the time with students.

Elma Police Chief Susan Shultz (right) chats with high-schoolers during lunch Thursday, Oct. 4, at Elma High School in Elma. Photo by Michael Lang, Grays Harbor News Group

Students in Laura Nelson’s forensics science class ask questions about a hypothetical case of Shultz (right) while she visits the classroom during her stop at the school last week in Elma.

Elma Police Chief Susan Shultz (standing at center) chats with high-schoolers during lunch Thursday, Oct. 4, at Elma High School in Elma. “I want them to see our department engaging with them in a positive manner and being a familiar face in school. Seeing law enforcement on campus for the positive moments as well as those where bad choices or mistakes have been made,” she said. Photo by Michael Lang, Grays Harbor News Group