EVERETT, Wash — John DeRousse says it's the youth violence in his city that hurts the most.
"That hits me at my heart, at my core," he says.
The recent murder of a 15-year-old boy as he waited for his school bus - allegedly by another teen - is the latest tragedy engulfing the City of Everett.
"I want kids out in the community to feel safe," DeRousse said. "Parents don't want to have to worry about their kids twenty-four-seven."
In early November, DeRousse was sworn in as Everett's new chief of police. He was appointed to his new role by Mayor Cassie Franklin. Previously, the position was held by Dan Templeman, a 31-year veteran of the police department who served nine years as chief.
Much of the violence targeting kids in Everett comes from gangs. The city's Casino Road community is a notorious hotbed for gang activity.
DeRousse said building trust in that community is critical.
"Trust is built every day over cups of coffee and in other ways so when something doesn't go right, that it's not the first time you've talked to someone in the community," said DeRousse.
City statistics show violent crime is steadily rising in Everett since the pandemic.
In 2022, the number of murders tripled to 12, compared to just four in 2021.
DeRousse is increasing staffing, and touts the city's diversity in hiring.
"In the last year we've been hiring more females, more people of color, than we have in the last 10 years, percentage-wise," he said.
Chief DeRousse has spent 29 years in law enforcement - 25 of them in Everett where he and his wife, who is a small business owner, call home.
As for the seemingly endless cycle of poverty, addiction, homelessness and crime, DeRousse believes arresting people for low-level offenses is a necessary tool.
"I think sometimes using a low-level crime to make an arrest is beneficial not only for the community, but it might be a first step for people to get the help they need," he says.
But for DeRousse, it all comes back to the children.
He plans to continue the department’s annual Casino Road soccer camp and add more events like a recent video game tournament between cops and kids.
The chief wants to more deeply involve community organizations to invest themselves in the lives of Everett's youth.
It's through them that DeRousse believes he can build toward the city's simple desire.
"To live and work and sometimes play in a place that's safe."