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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Alexandria has broken its National Night Out record a week before the event, with 54 registered gatherings citywide, the Alexandria Police Department said Tuesday.
The count tops the 52 community neighborhood and civic association gatherings the department reported in its 2025 annual report — a figure that 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."
Tracy Walker, the department's strategic communications manager, said the city's website would be updated shortly to reflect the full count.
A new addition in Del Ray
Del Ray will host an official Dog Walker Watch dog walk this year, the first time the program has been part of National Night Out.
Launched in the spring, the initiative asks residents — particularly the city's large community of dog owners — to serve as additional eyes and ears for public safety while walking their neighborhoods, reporting suspicious activity through 911 or 311 as appropriate.
The department describes the program as a community-building effort as much as a public safety one. Participants have opportunities to walk with officers, exchange safety information and provide feedback to the department. APD says the program builds on the visibility and consistency of dog walking to increase neighborhood awareness while reinforcing trust and communication.
Participation is free, and residents can sign up through the department's online form.
What to expect Aug. 4
City personnel will visit as many participating neighborhoods as possible between 5 and 8 p.m. The Alexandria Police Department's K-9 unit, motorcycle unit, bike patrol, command staff and patrol officers will tour neighborhoods and offer demonstrations alongside the Alexandria Sheriff's Office, the Alexandria Fire Department and the Department of Emergency and Customer Communications.
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 Condo 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, 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, awarded by the National Association of Town Watch, drew from more than 400 similarly sized communities in the 100,000 to 300,000 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. A full list of participating locations is posted at alexandriava.gov/NNO.
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. The department also provided details on the Del Ray Dog Walker Watch event, which have been added.
