It was the last official National Night Out for Mayor Justin Wilson, who is not reluctant to give up that duty. But there is something special about National Night Out in Alexandria, as Wilson attests.

“The whole community comes out,” Wilson said. “And we’ve seen a lot of new neighborhoods come into the mix in the last few years.”

National Night Out (NNO) is a celebration of community and public safety agencies coming together to promote community policing partnerships.  

Acting Chief of Police Raul Pedroso said: “National Night Out is an incredible opportunity for everybody in the community to be coming out, getting together with their friends, their neighbors, and even more importantly, the police officers, the firefighters, all of our public servants, having great food and just having a great time.”

During the event, residents throughout Alexandria are asked to come outside and enjoy the evening with their neighbors, police, firefighters, and other City officials. Events varied by neighborhood but  included cookouts, block parties, and more. 

Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey said: “We’re proud to serve a community that is so engaged and supportive, and on National Night Out we love getting to celebrate with them.”

NNO is designed to increase crime prevention awareness, generate support for crime prevention programs, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized, and are in partnership with law enforcement and public safety agencies to help prevent crime. 

NNO was introduced in August of 1984.

Photo by Janet Barnett

The ice cream man cheers for Captain Jay North, Liliana Rosen and Officer Arielle Deem at National Night Out at John Carlyle Square

Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Victor Ignacio serves snow cones at Four Mile Run Park for National Night Out

With Officer Richard Sandoval at Four Mile Run Park

Sheriff’s Department’s Sgt. Victor Ignacio and Sgt. Cassandra Branch serve snow cones as Police Officer Richard Sandoval looks on