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For Some, Reading to Kids is Part of the Alexandria Police Beat

Mary Wadland August 27, 2024

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Police man sitting in chair reading to little children, seated on rainbow colored rug in a classroom. — This Alexandria police officer is reading a book to a class of elementary school children as part of his regular beat. (Photo: Alexandria Police Department)

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Alexandria Patrol Watch Commander Marcus Downey shared a few heartwarming photos today showing police officers reading to children.

“To further our community engagement efforts, our patrol officers are visiting elementary schools in their beats to read to students,” said Downey. “This doesn’t just allow them to interact with our City’s youth; it also provides an opportunity to learn the layout of each building in case of an emergency.”

Children seated on rainbow-colored rug in a class listen as a bearded police man reads a book to them. — Alexandria police officer reads a book to schoolkids. (Photo: Alexandria Police Department)

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Mary Wadland

Mary Wadland is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of The Zebra Press, the award-winning Alexandria news publication she founded in 2010 with a mission of celebrating community, culture, and all the good news happening across the city. A longtime community advocate and storyteller, Mary was selected for the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce inaugural 40 Under 40 class and has served as President of Living Legends of Alexandria since 2022. Known for her deep local roots, sharp editorial instincts, and passion for connecting people through journalism, she has spent decades chronicling the personalities, businesses, events, and civic life that make Alexandria unique. Originally from Delray Beach, Florida, Mary is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia, and has been part of Alexandria’s publishing and media community since 1987.