Car Lockout in Alexandria, VA

Locked out on a snow emergency route

City Code Sec. 5-8-132 lists Alexandria's snow emergency routes: King Street west of Union Street, Washington Street, Duke Street, U.S. Route 1, Braddock Road, Howard Street, Jordan Street, and Eisenhower Avenue from Holland Lane to Van Dorn Street. The routes carry red and white signs. After the city declares a snow emergency, a vehicle left on one may be towed at the owner's expense.

A car stuck because the keys are locked inside is still a car left on the route. If a snow emergency has been declared or snow is on the way, say so at the start of your request and name the street and block. Clear snow from the driver's door if you can do it safely; a door packed in ice slows any work on it. This is general information, not legal advice.

Building garages and shared lots

A car may be shut in a building garage rather than at the curb. If management controls garage entry and your garage fob is locked in the car with the keys, ask the front desk or building management to let the locksmith in, and give the level and space number. In a townhouse lot, name the space and how to get to it.

Heat, cold and anyone inside

If a child or a pet is in the car, call 911 first; do not wait for a locksmith. On a sunny summer day a closed car can heat far above the outdoor temperature, and in winter a parked car loses its heat. If the engine is still running with the keys inside, say so, especially in an enclosed garage.

What to send

• The street and nearest cross street, or the garage name, level and space.
• Whether the spot is on a snow emergency route.
• Make, model and year.
• Whether the keys are visible inside, locked in the trunk or lost.

If the keys are lost rather than locked in, see car key replacement.