Center Police Department

04/01/2026

🚨 STATEWIDE EMERGENCY ALERT TEST 🚨

📅 April 2, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM

⚠️ WHAT’S HAPPENING?

A statewide emergency alert test will be sent across multiple systems.

📱 You may receive alerts on:
• Cell phones
• Television
• Radio

🔊 EXPECT:

A loud tone + test message

✅ THIS IS ONLY A TEST
No action is needed.

💡 WHY IT MATTERS

This test ensures emergency systems are working to keep everyone safe during real emergencies.

🚫 DO NOT PANIC

This is a routine safety test, there is no emergency.

📢 HELP SPREAD THE WORD

Share this post so others know what to expect!

03/31/2026

🚨🚨Update 🚨🚨

Power has been restored to the majority of the Swepco customers within the city.

🚨🚨Public Safety Alert 🚨🚨

The Center Police Department has received multiple calls to our Dispatch center, according to Swepco there is an issue at a substation. Unknown restoration time as of 11:18 am. We have officers in the area of major intersections. Please use caution while traveling due to traffic lights are not operational, allow space for utility company personnel and first responders.

02/20/2026

🚨Fraud Alert from Center Police Department 🚨

We want to make our community aware of a growing scam targeting the residents of Center Texas.

Scammers are calling people and pretending to be from the police department, sheriff’s office, district attorney’s office, or FBI. They may say you have committed a crime, have a warrant, or missed jury duty- and that you must send money immediately to avoid arrest.

This is a scam!

The Center Police Department will NOT:

- call you demanding money to prevent arrest
- ask for payment over the phone
- request gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment via payment apps
- threaten immediate arrest if failure to pay

IF YOU RECEIVE A CALL LIKE THIS:

1. Hang up immediately
2. Do not provide personal information
3. DO NOT SEND MONEY
4. Report the call to your local law enforcement agency.

Scammers use fear and urgency to pressure victims. Take a moment, pause, and verify. Legitimate law enforcement officers do not operate this way.

Please share this post to help protect friends, and family members.

Please take the time to talk with your senior parents and grandparents due to seniors are most often victims of the scammers.

Stay alert. Stay informed. Stay safe.

01/14/2026

12/04/2025

CPD is now hiring for a K-9 handler, this will primarily be a patrol position, will be assigned to special operations at times. Take home vehicle, residential kennel, and paid training. For further information please see the attached flyer. If you have any questions please contact Chief R. King at 936-598-2788.

10/30/2025

The Center Police Department is asking for assistance from the public to identify this individual. If you have any information on this vehicle or the identity of the pictured subject please contact Det. Jerry Payne at 936-598-2788.

Any and all information given will be kept confidential. All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

10/01/2025

Street Closures and Increased Pedestrian Traffic for 49th Annual Poultry Festival in Downtown Center
CENTER, TX —

The Center Police Department would like to inform residents and visitors of upcoming street closures and increased pedestrian traffic around the downtown square in preparation for the Annual East Texas Poultry Festival, taking place this week.

Beginning Wednesday, October 1 at 3:30 PM, the following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic until the conclusion of the festival on Saturday, October 4:

Austin Street – Closed from Nacogdoches Street to San Augustine street.

San Augustine Street – Closed from Austin Street to Shelbyville Street.

These closures are necessary to ensure the safety of festival-goers, vendors, and staff participating in the Poultry Festival, which draws thousands of visitors each year to the historic downtown square.

Increased pedestrian activity is expected in and around the downtown area throughout the duration of the festival. Drivers are urged to use caution, follow detour signage, and allow extra travel time when navigating near the square.

We appreciate the public’s cooperation and patience during this exciting annual tradition. For more information about the festival, including event schedules and parking, please visit the official East Texas Poultry Festival page located on the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce website or Shelby County Today.

09/24/2025

Square to Close for Doo Dah Parade — Kicking Off the 49th Annual Poultry Festival 🐓🎉

Center, Texas — 09-24-2025 — The Downtown Center Square will be temporarily closed beginning at 4:55 PM this afternoon to accommodate the highly anticipated Doo Dah Parade, the official kickoff event of the Annual Poultry Festival.

The closure will remain in effect until the conclusion of the parade to ensure the safety of all participants, spectators, and festival staff. Residents, business owners, and visitors are advised to plan accordingly and use alternate routes during this time.

‼️‼️ Road Closure Details ‼️‼️

When: 09/24/2025 starting at 4:55 PM until parade conclusion.

Where: Entire Downtown Center Square, including intersecting roads, Nacogdoches/ Austin St; San Augustine/ Austin St; Shelbyville/ Cora St; Tenaha/ Logansport St; Porter/ Logansport St.

Why: To host the Doo Dah Parade, the fun and festive opening of the Annual Poultry Festival.

Motorists are encouraged to arrive early, park in designated areas, and be mindful of pedestrian traffic throughout the evening. Center P.D. will be on site directing traffic and providing security for the duration of the parade.

07/23/2025

🚨🍋 Lemonade for a Cause! 🍋🚨

Everyone, stop by and support these two amazing kiddos! They’re out on Shelbyville St., just down from H&S Grocery, selling ice-cold lemonade for only $1.00 a cup. 🥶🍹

While chatting with the sweet little boy, he shared that he's raising money to help his mom. ❤️ Talk about heartwarming! A few of our awesome CPD administrators even stopped by to lend a hand. 👮‍♂️👮‍♀️

Let’s rally together, show some love, and support this young entrepreneur’s kind heart. 💪💛