Tuesday evening, dozens of neighborhoods will be hosting BBQs, neighborhood parties and other events for the 35th Annual National Night Out.
National Night Out is a community campaign that aims to heighten awareness of crime prevention, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen the neighborhood spirit and law enforcement community relationships, and send a powerful message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and willing to fight back. It is part of a nationwide crime prevention effort sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW)
While National Night Out is a year-round campaign, the actual “night out” in the City of Alexandria will be Tuesday, August 7 from 5 to 10 p.m.
Residents are asked to turn on their porch lights, host neighborhood cookouts, and sponsor block parties in support of the cause.
In Fairfax County, National Night Out is from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
In both Alexandria City and in Fairfax County, local government officials and safety officers will be visiting as many neighborhood Night Out events as they can.
Officials pledge to will reaffirm their commitment to keeping the community safe and secure.
The City of Alexandria’s Police Department's K-9 Unit, Motor Unit, Bike Patrol, Command Bus, Armored Personnel Carrier, and Crime Scene Mobile Lab will be touring neighborhoods and offering special demonstrations. Alexandria Fire Department engines and fire trucks will also be coming to various neighborhoods throughout the city.
To register your neighborhood’s gathering in Alexandria as an official National Night Out event, contact the Alexandria Police Department Public Information Office at 703-746-6600. For a list of participating communities, go to alexandriava.gov/105294.
Fairfax County residents may go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/chief/crimeandsafety/crimepreventionawareness/nationalnightout for registration information.
