ELBERTA, Ala. — Students at Elberta schools recently got a friendly visit from local law enforcement when Elberta Police presented the “Be a buddy, not a bully” program.

That program included officers talking with students about bullying, a growing problem in today’s society.

“They raised their hands and gave us a lot of input,” said Jennifer Archuleta of Elberta Police.

She explained that Chief Stan DeVane spoke to students at Foley Elementary and Saint Beendict Catholic School in a large assembly.

“I’ve also been to a church and done a program,” DeVane said.

Then at Elberta Middle, Officer Jason Whitlock visited the classrooms and spoke more in-depth.

“I think they rally learned a lot,” said Archuleta, who documented the presentations. “There are a lot of things that kids do that they don’t know is bullying.”

She pointed to the problem of cyberbullying.

“Social media is the big thing,” Archuleta said.

To reinforce the theme of the presentation, students were given a copy of the “Anti-Bullying Coloring and Activity Book,” which was sponsored by VFW Ladies Auxiliary No. 5658.

Archuleta said Elberta Police is taking an additional step to bring the theme’s message home.

“We decided to make ‘Be a buddy,’ T-shirts,” she said.

The shirts come in a choice of white or gray, and the cost is $15 for youth sizes –adult large and $17 for 2X-3X. They will be available at  Elberta German Sausage Festival on March 29, as well as at the Elberta PD.

“Proceeds will go back into the community for programs and classes,” Archuleta said.

Those classes would include “Just say no to drugs,” both school and public initiatives, as well as educational seminars on teen suicide, school shooters, home-owner safety and the Yellow Dot program.

For more information, call Elberta Police at 251-986-5300.