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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Alexandria City Council proclaimed Tuesday, August 4, as National Night Out in the City of Alexandria at its July 1 legislative meeting, with Police Chief Tarrick McGuire urging residents to sign up and setting an ambitious goal: break last year's citywide record of more than 50 events.
"We were recognized nationally and our goal is to break that record this year and continue to do it year after year," McGuire told council. "Some people in this room have a lot of pressure mounting on them."
Last year, Alexandria was recognized as one of the Top 15 National Night Out communities in the United States within its population category, selected from more than 400 similarly sized communities. The city also reported a double-digit reduction in crime in 2025, which officials credited in part to community-police partnerships.
Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley read the proclamation on behalf of Mayor Alyia Gaskins, declaring August 4 as National Night Out under the theme "One Community, One Night, One Alexandria." The proclamation called on residents, businesses, community and faith organizations and visitors to participate in neighborhood events, connect with one another and support local public safety efforts.
McGuire offered historical context for the occasion. National Night Out traces its roots to 1981, when a man in West Philadelphia recognized that crime watch groups were forming across the country and established a national town watch effort. The first National Night Out was held in 1984, drawing roughly 2.5 million residents across 23 states. "That origin really defined that it was so important for community and police to establish partnerships before crime happened," McGuire said.
Representatives from several community organizations spoke at the July 1 meeting about their involvement. Alejandro Lopez, head trustee at Alexandria Free Methodist Church, said the church has hosted National Night Out on its property for years and credited the event with forging new connections — including neighbors who helped each other clear driveways during an ice storm. "It's a wonderful ability to just get the community together and just spend time together," he said. Allen Lomax, chair of the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria, said his organization has participated in National Night Out for about a decade and called the police department's support essential to its prevention work.
APD Officer Tony Moore offered a simple message: "Please register. We're happy to come to your communities and share and break bread."
Events range from block parties and cookouts to an ice cream social, a foam party, face painting, food trucks, live music and yard games. The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority will host events at six locations across the city, including Charles Houston Recreation Center, Hopkins Tancil, Princess Square, Quaker Hill, Casa Chirilagua and Alate. Other participating communities stretch from Old Town to the West End, including Del Ray Citizens Association, Cameron Station Community, Mason at Van Dorn, Southern Towers, Taylor Run Citizens Association, Warwick Village Citizens Association and dozens more. All events run from 5-8 p.m., with some starting as early as 3:30 p.m.
During the event, APD's K-9 Unit, Motorcycle Unit, Bike Patrol, Command Staff and patrol officers will tour neighborhoods alongside members of the Alexandria Sheriff's Office, Alexandria Fire Department and Department of Emergency and Customer Communications.
The full and updated list of participating locations, start times and planned activities is available at alexandriava.gov/NNO. Registration closes July 21. To sign up, visit alexandriava.gov/NNO or register at bit.ly/4h0k2sf. Residents are encouraged to share photos using #ALXNNO26 and tagging @AlexandriaVAPD. For questions, contact robert.pond@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.6703.
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