Table of Contents
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Alexandria has set a National Night Out participation record ahead of next week's event, with 54 locations registered citywide, the city announced Tuesday.
The count tops the 52 community neighborhood and civic association gatherings the Alexandria Police Department reported in its 2025 annual report — a figure that itself represented a 44% increase over the prior year and helped earn Alexandria a spot among the nation's top 15 National Night Out communities.
Police Chief Tarrick McGuire set the target at City Council's July 1 legislative meeting, telling members he wanted to beat last year's mark.
"We were recognized nationally and our goal is to break that record this year and continue to do it year after year," McGuire said at the meeting, where Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley read a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Alyia Gaskins declaring the day under the theme "One Community, One Night, One Alexandria."
The city credited the record to residents, civic associations, apartment communities, businesses, faith-based organizations and public safety partners.
A dog walk with the chief in Del Ray
Del Ray's National Night Out will include a community dog walk with McGuire and Alexandria police officers, a first for the event.
Participants meet at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square by 6:30 p.m. for the half-hour walk, hosted by the Del Ray Citizens Association. Registration is free through Eventbrite.
The walk highlights APD's Dog Walker Watch program, launched this spring, which asks dog owners to serve as extra eyes and ears while walking their neighborhoods. The program encourages participants to report suspicious activity to 311, or to call 911 in an emergency.
Beyond its public safety aim, the department describes Dog Walker Watch as a way to build ongoing relationships with residents. Participants have opportunities to walk with officers, exchange safety information and provide feedback. APD says the program builds on the visibility and consistency of dog walking to increase neighborhood awareness while reinforcing trust and communication.
Del Ray Citizens Association's main National Night Out event is at 2311 Mount Vernon Ave. beginning at 5 p.m., with games, activities, free food and music.
What to expect Aug. 4
City personnel will visit as many participating neighborhoods as possible between 5 and 8 p.m. The police department's K-9 unit, motorcycle unit, bike patrol, command staff and patrol teams will tour neighborhoods and offer demonstrations alongside the Alexandria Sheriff's Office, the Alexandria Fire Department, the Department of Emergency and Customer Communications and other city agencies.
Events range from potlucks to full block parties, and start times vary widely. The earliest kicks off at 3 p.m. at Bell of Old Town on Thornton Way, while Affordable Homes & Communities on Fillmore Avenue and Southport Apartments on Edsall Road begin at 3:30 p.m. Most gatherings start between 5 and 6:30 p.m.
Among the offerings: a foam party in Arlandria, a video gaming truck at Brent Place Apartments on South Reynolds Street, bingo and bubbles at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Old Town, a commuter fair and root beer float stand benefiting charity at the Carlyle Council, caricature artists and water games at Townes at Cameron Parke, and a community room unveiling at Auburn Village Condominium Association on East Glebe Road. The Basilica of Saint Mary, Greenhouse Condominium, Highpointe at Stonegate and Stonegate Foundation are all hosting ice cream socials.
The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority will host at six properties beginning at 5 p.m. — Charles Houston, Hopkins-Tancil Courts, Princess Square, Quaker Hill, Old Dominion/Glebe Park and Alate — with hot dogs, hamburgers, music, games and inflatables at every site except Alate.
The top 15 recognition drew from more than 400 similarly sized communities in Alexandria's population category. City officials tie that engagement to public safety outcomes, noting Alexandria recorded a double-digit reduction in crime in 2025.
National Night Out began in August 1984 with 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. Last year's event was the largest ever, drawing 18,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide, according to organizers.
Residents are asked to share photos and video using the hashtag #ALXNNO26 and to tag @AlexandriaVAPD. The full list of participating locations, with start times and planned activities, is posted on the city's National Night Out page. Questions can be directed to 703-746-6703 or robert.pond@alexandriava.gov.
Updated at 9:35 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29: The City of Alexandria issued a news release confirming a record 54 registered locations and announcing details of the Del Ray community dog walk, including its time and location. This story has been updated throughout.
Update, July 28, 2:35 p.m.: The Alexandria Police Department confirmed a total count of 54 registered events, exceeding last year's 52. An earlier version of this story, based on the city's published participant list, reported 53 locations and described the record as still in question.
