Residents of Fort Hunt gathered with Fairfax County Police officers at Mount Vernon Park and Pool for their annual National Night Out celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 6. There were barbecues, ice cream and comradery between the police and the community, which is the goal of National Night Out.

About 175 people came out from the surrounding Hollin Hall neighborhoods. There were fire trucks they could climb on, police equipment to check out and a band that played a mix of country and rock.

“The kids really loved that,” said Leo Milanowski, President of the Hollin Hall Village Citizens Association. Supervisor Dan Storck (D-Mount Vernon) stopped off as he made his rounds to different community celebrations.

National Night Out began in 1984 when Matt Peskin, founder and executive director of National Association of Town Watch, introduced it in Philadelphia as a way to break down the boundaries between law enforcement and the community. 

Photos by Diane Frazier @ Ft Hunt Family Photo

Supervisor Storck, who lives close by, poses with residents.

A table of community pictures from years past.

The vest almost fits.

The fire and police were happy to get a chance to meet the community in a relaxed setting like this.

Tattoos too.

Hopefully this will be his only experience with the riot shield.