Community Night Out builds partnerships against crime in Alexandria

• Community Night Out

Alexandria Community Night Out includes lots of activities fun for children, including fire trucks and an inflatable children’s bouncer, “Fire Hopper,” boom truck rides and more.

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The Alexandria Police Department and the city of Alexandria are joining forces with thousands of communities nationwide in a celebration against crimes and drugs called the “28th Annual National Night Out.”

The event will take place on Tuesday, August 2 at Alexandria City Park from 5 to 7 p.m.

The theme this year is “Growing Stronger by Building Strong Community Partnerships.”

The Alexandria Police Department invites the public to attend an evening of special events planned and organized in a community crime prevention effort that sends a strong message to children and the community.

“It is our goal to show the community what services the city of Alexandria has to offer its citizens,” noted Police Chief Rick Wyffels.

The police department along with the street department, parks department, fire department, municipal liquor stores, Runestone Community Center, Alexandria Light and Power, Center Point Energy, North Ambulance, Someplace Safe and the city’s cultural inclusiveness committee are combining efforts to show the many different facets within the city in a unified effort to bring the community closer together, Wyffels said.

“This event is an effort to build stronger community partnerships. As a result of some of these partnerships that have been built, we have had numerous organizations and businesses come forward and contribute to the event,” the chief said.

The Eagles Lodge of Alexandria is sponsoring free hot dogs, Viking Bottling Company is sponsoring free beverages, Culvers Restaurant is sponsoring free frozen custard, and Pete’s County Market is sponsoring free hot dog buns. Other contributors include Target, Walmart, Henry’s Foods and Paul’s Small Engine.

Here’s a list of some of the events and contributors:

Alexandria Police Department – patrol officers, bike patrol and SWAT team members and gear; Fatal Vision Goggles demonstration; “Taser” demonstration, night vision demonstration (Paul’s Small Engine will be providing a 16-foot enclosed trailer for the night vision demonstration); and door prizes will be given away at the end of the event.

Alexandria Fire Department – fire trucks and inflatable children’s bouncer, “Fire Hopper.”

Alexandria Light and Power – boom truck rides for kids, safety handouts.

Alexandria street and park departments – large equipment displays.

Municipal Liquor Stores – Downtown Liquor and Plaza Liquor.

Culvers – sponsoring frozen custard.

Center Point Energy – handouts and giveaways.

Eagles Club – hot dogs.

Henry’s Foods.

Viking Bottling – beverages.

Financial contributor – Jennifer Guenther Photography.

North Ambulance.

City of Alexandria Cultural Inclusiveness Committee.

Pete’s County Market – hot dog buns.

Bernick’s – chips.

Tags: local news, crime news, news