Tonight is National Night Out

Not that you aren't familiar with many of your neighbors already, but no doubt there are those you've never met and some new additions to your neighborhood. National Night out is tonight (click here for history and details on the event as a whole). Come socialize with old and new neighbors, meet Alexandria's finest, and enjoy free food, drinks, and games (activities vary by location). Getting to know your neighbors and the police force fosters safer, more interconnected communities.

Here is Alexandria Police's official news release on NNO:

Alexandria Celebrates National Night Out

On Tuesday, August 3, from 5:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M., City officials will partner with Alexandria Police to celebrate National Night Out. The special celebration is part of a nationwide crime and drug prevention effort sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW).

To heighten awareness of crime prevention, residents in more than 25 Alexandria neighborhoods will turn on their porch lights, host neighborhood cook-outs and sponsor block parties in support of National Night Out. Mayor William D. Euille, members of City Council and Chief of Police Earl Cook will reaffirm the City’s commitment to fighting crime by visiting residents throughout the City. Chief Cook will be attending the National Night Out events at various locations throughout the City.

McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog, the K-9 Unit, Bike Patrol Unit and Motor Unit will tour neighborhoods and offer special demonstrations.

“National Night Out is an opportunity to celebrate the neighborhood spirit and strengthen our relationship with the community,” says Acting Chief Cook. “Our residents continue to support our department in reducing serious crime and in keeping Alexandria a safe place to live. National Night Out provides us with the opportunity to thank residents for their vigilance and their dedication to the City.”

Several of those 25 neighborhoods are in the North End of Alexandria. Here are details for a few North End neighborhood National Night Out events:

• Lynhaven: 6:30 - 8:00 - Block party at the Lynhaven Rock Park. Raffle, games, food, and entertainment. 
• Hume Springs: 6:30 - 8ish - Block party at the Flagpole Park at Edison and Dale St. Pizza and refreshments served and prizes raffled off. Show up at 6:30 to see APD Motors and the command bus (will be there for 1/2 hour).
• Lennox Place at Sunnyside: 6:30 – 9:00pm - Cookout at Courtland Circle. From their flyer: "Courtland Circle is a busy place every National Night Out. Come out, meet your neighbors, enjoy the food and help us all welcome and support Alexandria City Police Department’s finest."