Alexandria Celebrates National Night Out
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(Wednesday) August 4, 2010
Malik Trenton Smith, 5, speaking with Alexandria Police officers. (Photo: James Cullum)
Last night, thousands of Alexandrians ate hotdogs and rubbed elbows with local cops for the 27th Annual National Night Out. The special celebration is part of a nationwide crime and drug prevention effort sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.
Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, City Manager Jim Hartmann, Chief of Police Earl Cook and members of City Council attended the celebrations. “National Night Out is an opportunity for the police department to strengthen our relationship with the community and thank the residents for their vigilance and their dedication to keeping Alexandria a safe place to live, work and visit,” said Cook.
To heighten awareness of crime prevention, residents in more than 27 Alexandria neighborhoods turned on their porch lights, hosted cook-outs and held neighborhood block parties. National Night Out is also designed to generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and law enforcement-community partnerships.
“It was a fun time because we got to meet all these new people in the community,” said Joshua Kelley, 12, who lives in Lincolnia Hills and spent a few hours playing bean bag toss.
Sarah Shweers lives in Del Ray with her husband and three children. “This is the first year that we’ve been in town for it. It’s just a great neighborhood activity and Del Ray is such a great community it feels like every night is National Night Out.
