DRCA National Night Out Organization Meeting Set for Thursday

The Del Ray Citizens Association is hosting a National Night Out event this year in the playing field adjacent to the Mount Vernon Recreation Center.

The event will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 6 in coordination with numerous NNO events throughout the city.

DRCA Vice President Jay Nestlerode is leading the volunteer effort to organize the event and is hosting a meeting for interested volunteers at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 11 at Mount Vernon Recreation Center.

Founded in 1984, National Night Out is an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

National Night Out now involves over 37 million people and 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide, according to the National Night Out website.

National Night Out events are scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6, across the city this year. Alexandria police and fire personnel typically visit a series of block parties throughout the evening, meet with citizens and display their equipment.

Civic associations from Warwick Village, Hume Springs, Lynhaven and other groups are expected to host block parties as well.

Patch will pass on more information about National Night Out as the event approaches.