This Is How We Do Community: National Night Out in Alexandria

When I first moved to Alexandria from New York City, I barely knew anyone. Most of my connections here were old acquaintances I hadn’t seen in years. After my husband and I bought our townhome, I wanted to put down roots and get involved. So I joined our HOA’s Social Committee.

During one of our meetings, the committee chair suggested we host something called National Night Out. I had never heard of it.

Held every August, National Night Out is a nationwide initiative that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Across the country, neighbors gather to meet local law enforcement, share food, and build stronger connections with one another. It’s simple but impactful.

Planning an event for more than 100 neighbors—especially one you’ve never hosted before—can be a little stressful. You want everything to run smoothly and for people to have a great experience. We planned for weeks, from booking a food truck to face painters to music to coordinating with local law enforcement, and that first year was a huge success. After that, we were hooked.

This summer marked our sixth year participating. Over that time, I’ve watched the number of Alexandria neighborhoods involved grow significantly. It’s encouraging to see how a single evening can bring people together and inspire new traditions. We all need community. We all need to feel safe.

There’s something powerful about simply knowing your neighbors. It makes a neighborhood feel like home. When you recognize who lives nearby, it’s easier to notice when something’s off. If someone is behaving oddly outside, it makes a difference whether they’re a familiar face or not. And in a world where package theft and porch pirating are real concerns, community awareness matters.

Of course, many of us use Ring cameras or neighborhood apps to stay informed, but those tools don’t replace relationships. Community starts with eye contact, a smile, and a conversation about someone’s dog or where their kids go to school. National Night Out gives us a reason to pause, connect, and simply say hello.

Over the years, I’ve had opportunities to understand more about public safety and our local officers. In 2022, I did a ride-along with the Alexandria Police Department as part of the Community Police Academy. It was eye-opening. Listening to their stories, learning about their daily routines, and seeing the city from their perspective gave me a whole new level of respect for what they do.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Alexandria City Council members and team make many stops throughout the evening and I was reminded just how much leadership support these events have. It’s not just a friendly drop-by from elected officials. Their presence sends a clear message: neighborhoods matter.

For me, the best part is always the next day. It’s walking past someone who used to avoid eye contact, and now they smile and wave. It’s finally learning the name of the person who lives four doors down or meeting their dog or kids. It’s looking at the photos from the event, remembering the laughter and hilarious caricatures drawn, and knowing—for that night at least—we were all part of something shared.

A heartfelt thank you to the Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, Alexandria Fire Department, Mayor Alyia Gaskins, and the members of City Council who continue to show up for our community. Your support means more than you know.

If you’re curious about how to get involved in National Night Out next year or want to bring it to your own neighborhood, you can learn more here.