Burien’s newly-appointed Police Chief Tom Calabrese brings over two decades of law enforcement experience and a strong dedication to enhancing public safety while prioritizing the well-being of his officers.

As we previously reported, in late August Calabrese was selected by Burien City Manager Adolfo Bailon to replace former Chief Ted Boe, who – after having disagreements with Bailon – moved on to be Chief for the Des Moines Police Department.

The new chief, a West Seattle native who later moved to Kent, described his journey from working various jobs to discovering his “calling” for law enforcement after a ride-along with a family friend sparked a realization that policing was the purposeful career he had been searching for. He began his career with the King County Sheriff’s Office in 2000, eventually finding his niche in Burien, where he served as a detective and later a sergeant.

Now at the helm of the Burien Police Department, the chief’s top priorities include maintaining public safety and ensuring the well-being of his officers.

“I want to make this community safer,” he said. “But I also want to make sure my deputies are safe. They do great work, and I want them to get the credit they deserve.”

On a Previous Media Relations Hiccup

Calabrese also openly shared his concerns about his lack of experience dealing with media relations. Reflecting on an incident during a motorcycle crash and gas leak when several TV reporters arrived unannounced at the scene, Calabrese recounted feeling overwhelmed by the situation.

“They come pulling in with their (TV) lights, and I got an active gas leak. I told them, ‘I don’t care about that, I just don’t want anybody to blow up,'” Calabrese said. He further admitted that after that event, he has largely avoided media interactions. Despite this, Calabrese reassured that he’d work with The B-Town Blog, saying, “I’ll talk with you, I just haven’t done much of it since.”

His previous media reluctance is a sharp contrast to his otherwise hands-on approach and confidence as a leader. During our interview at the Three Tree Point Store, he emphasized his dedication to keeping the community safe and ensuring his deputies receive the recognition they deserve. His priority remains focused on balancing public safety with fostering strong relationships within Burien.

Homelessness and the rise of violent youth crime are two pressing challenges the chief intends to address.

Can He Enforce Burien’s ‘Anti-Camping’ Ordinance?

Calabrese addressed the City of Burien’s controversial anti-camping Ordinance 832, expressing both concern and caution. While he acknowledged the complexity of enforcing such a law, he emphasized his commitment to balancing public safety with compassion for those affected by homelessness.

Calabrese suggested that resolving the anti-camping ordinance issue might be as simple as modifying a single sentence, which could remove legal obstacles and pave the way for an agreement that satisfies all parties involved.

While his hands are tied on that ordinance until then, or when/if he receives a clear directive from the King County Sheriff, he remains hopeful that a collaborative approach between all involved could lead to a balanced solution. He noted the importance of having tools like the ordinance to encourage individuals to seek services rather than continue living in unsafe conditions. However, he stressed that enforcement would not focus on punishment but on encouraging the use of available services to help those in need.

“I want my deputies to be able to engage with the community, but it’s hard when they’re constantly running from call to call,” he said. His goal is to increase staffing levels to give officers the time and opportunity to build relationships with the people they serve.

The chief also touched on the challenges posed by encampments, particularly in a King County-owned lot near the Burien police precinct. While resources and outreach efforts are in place to help those experiencing homelessness, the chief acknowledged that resolving the issue is complicated.

“We’re working with several outreach providers, but the scale of the problem is huge. The encampments are deeply entrenched, and it’s taking longer than expected to move people into services or shelters,” he said, adding that ongoing efforts include collaboration with local service providers such as REACH and The More We Love organization.

Calabrese confirmed that a previously-set Sept. 30 deadline to remove that encampment has been extended (perhaps to the end of October), as outreach providers recognized the complexity of the situation and the need for additional time to help residents transition to services.

Committed to Addressing Presence of Fentanyl

In addition to his focus on public safety and officer well-being, Calabrese is committed to addressing the growing presence of fentanyl in the region. He described how the opioid crisis has evolved, with fentanyl replacing heroin and meth as the predominant drug on the streets.

“When I started, we were just beginning to see the effects of the opioid crisis, with drugs like OxyContin and heroin taking hold. Now, fentanyl is the major issue, and it’s even more dangerous,” the chief said. He also noted the alarming rise of carfentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid originally used as an animal tranquilizer (“strong enough to put an elephant down”), which is now appearing in local drug markets.

On the Increase of Youth Crime

Calabrese expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in youth crime, which he describes as unlike anything he’s seen in his law enforcement career. Reflecting on the past, Calabrese noted that early in his career, incidents involving youth typically involved minor offenses like shoplifting or stolen cars. Now he is facing a much graver reality, with young offenders — some as young as 12 or 14-years-old — committing violent crimes, including armed robberies, high-speed chases, and smash and grab break-ins at businesses.

“I never thought I’d see that,” Calabrese told us, emphasizing the shock of seeing children involved in such serious offenses. He stressed the importance of accountability, arguing that without consequences, there’s little to deter youth from engaging in criminal behavior.

“If there’s no punishment, there’s no reason to stop,” he added, expressing uncertainty about how best to address the growing issue but underscoring the need for a solution that not only prevents crime but also offers young offenders a chance to change course.

Staffing and Lack of Resources

Staffing and resources continue to be a significant challenge for Calabrese and Burien PD. He acknowledged the significant challenge of finding and hiring new police officers, noting that the pool of applicants has drastically shrunk, leaving departments across the region struggling to fill critical positions.

“Right now, our officers are stretched thin, running from call to call. If we had more officers, we could focus more on community engagement and proactive policing,” he explained.

Despite these constraints, the department has made progress in equipping patrol officers with body cameras, a tool the chief praised for its ability to provide a firsthand account of police interactions and improve transparency.

The New Chief’s Leadership Style

The chief also expressed his admiration for his predecessor, Ted Boe (now Police Chief for the Des Moines Police Department), and spoke of the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, local government, and service providers to address complex issues like homelessness and addiction in Burien.

“I’m a lead-from-the-front kind of person, just like Ted was,” he said. “It’s about taking care of your people and ensuring they’re set up for success.”

While he is not looking to drastically change the department’s approach, he is focused on continuing the legacy of collaboration and community-oriented policing that has defined Burien’s law enforcement efforts.

As Calabrese begins his reign as Police Chief in Burien, we wish him the best in his mission to ensure safety and unity for the community we know and love.