Thousands Come Outside for Alexandria National Night Out Tuesday

Alexandria, VA – From Arlandria to Old Town to Del Ray to Carlyle, they came out. Families, young adults, seniors, and pet dogs poured out from their homes onto lawns, parks, and squares on Tuesday, August 5 to celebrate National Night Out, held each year on the first Tuesday in August.  It was a chance for Alexandria residents to meet police and fire officials, shake hands with the mayor and elected officials, and learn about crime-busting initiatives. It was a night to get to know those who protect our city. 

“National Night Out is about celebrating with communities,” Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire told Zebra. And Maguire had something big to celebrate. “Comparing this year to last year, we’re down 25% overall as it relates to crime,” he declared.

Crime prevention and building a sense of community were the themes Tuesday night.  Residents were encouraged to come outside, get to know their neighbors, and schmooze with those who are entrusted with their safety and security. There were close to 50 National Night Out celebrations scattered across the city. 

“Tonight is really about connecting with people in the community or celebrating, you know, those crime reductions, but also just building relationships,” McGuire continued in an interview with The Zebra. “Policing is about relationships at its core. And so, we’re going around the city tonight. We have more National Night Out parties tonight than we’ve ever had in the history of this city.”

With temperatures hovering in the 80s, Alexandrians took advantage of the heat wave reprieve. They locked up their homes and took to the streets and parks to enjoy festivals, block parties, cookouts, potlucks, and games.

Carlyle Council puts on one of the most elaborate outdoor parties, featuring lots of free food, swag, and a DJ. Participants lined up at the ice cream truck for a free ice cream cone with their favorite toppings.

Event team, led by Joyous Events CEO Marilyn Patterson in front of the ice cream truck, arguably one of the most popular stations at John Carlyle Square Park. Left to right: Michelle Benjamin, Susan Adams, CEO Marilyn Patterson, Bailee Montgomery 

We had a great turnout. Good community support, and good support from the city.”  Marilyn Patterson, CEO of Joyous Events

Patterson ran the Carlyle event. She’s been at the helm of this Carlyle festival for about five years.  Patterson estimated over a thousand people passed through Carlyle that evening. “We all know that Carlyle has the best National Night Out celebration in the city. We make it a joyous event,” Patterson laughed.

Children splashed in fountains, showered the crowd with bubbles, and played games in the expansive lawn of John Carlyle Square Park. They lined up to board the fire truck, one of the biggest hits of the evening. As this reporter looked up, the truck was suddenly gone. “We needed to take it out for an emergency call,” Fire Chief Hernandez explained. “It’ll be back!”

Alexandria Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez Jr. marked his first year in this role July 8. “It’s been going great. This community has been very wonderful to work with,” Hernandez reflected. “People definitely care about public safety. It kind of makes it easy to get about with the community because they are very receptive to some of the ideas and some of the stuff that we’re coming up with in regard to working with them.”

The Alexandria Police Department’s K-9 and other units toured neighborhoods and offered special demonstrations with sheriffs, fire, and other public safety agencies.  Top city leaders hopped on a trolley and traveled from East End to West End, visiting all the city NNO parties.

National Night Out aims to boost crime prevention awareness, rally support for crime-fighting programs, and warn criminals that neighborhoods are united and working with law enforcement and public safety agencies to combat crime.

Launched in August 1984, NNO leveraged an existing network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic organizations, and crime prevention associations nationwide. The inaugural event saw 2.5 million neighbors participating across 400 communities in 23 states.

Alexandria Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, and Marilyn Patterson of Joyous Events light up the dance floor. Video: Judith Fogel/Zebra Press

Carlyle photos by Judith Fogel/Zebra Press. Del Ray photo: Gabi Miller/Zebra Press. Photo of Alexandria Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, courtesy Sarah Bagley. Trolley photo courtesy of Alexandria Police Department