Center Police Department

09/17/2026

‼️ Clear bag policy ‼️

The poultry festival committee members would like everyone to be aware of the new clear bag policy, please plan accordingly as officers will be enforcing this new policy.

Poultry Festival announces clear bag policy

As we get ready to welcome everyone to the 50th Annual East Texas Poultry Festival, October 1st, 2nd and 3rd, festival organizers would like to announce an important safety policy for this year’s event.
Only clear bags and clear backpacks will be allowed inside the festival area.
The clear bag policy is designed to help provide a safe and enjoyable environment for festival guests, volunteers, vendors and participants. Attendees are encouraged to plan ahead and leave non-clear bags and backpacks at home or in their vehicles.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and understanding as we work to keep the Festival a safe, fun, family-friendly celebration.

09/09/2026

🐾 FOUND DOG 🐾

This Bulldog was picked up on September 4th in the area of Jacob’s Welding.

If you are the owner or know who this dog belongs to, please contact the Police Department at 936-598-2788; so we can help reunite it with its family. Proof of ownership may be required before the dog is released.

Please share this post to help us locate the owner!

08/06/2026

‼️‼️ UPDATE ‼️‼️

🐾 REUNITED! 🐾
The dog and its owner have been happily reunited!

Thank you to everyone who shared our post, helped spread the word, and assisted in getting this pup back home. We truly appreciate the support from our community!

Thank you for helping us get them back together!

🐾 FOUND DOG 🐾

This Bulldog mix was picked up on August 4 in the Bolton Street area.

If you are the owner or know who this dog belongs to, please contact the Police Department at 936-598-2788; so we can help reunite it with its family. Proof of ownership may be required before the dog is released.

Please share this post to help us locate the owner!

08/05/2026

The Center Police Department has arrested Marsh Odom in connection with multiple burglary offenses following a lengthy investigation conducted by department investigators.

The successful conclusion of the investigation was made possible through the diligence, professionalism, and proactive efforts of the Center Police Department Patrol Division. Through attentive patrol operations, effective observation, and sound law enforcement tactics, patrol officers developed critical information that ultimately led to Odom’s apprehension.

During the course of the investigation, Brittany Lewing was also arrested and charged with Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution and Resisting Arrest for allegedly assisting Odom in avoiding apprehension by law enforcement.

Chief and department leadership commend the Patrol Division and investigators for their teamwork, persistence, and commitment to protecting the citizens of Center. Their coordinated efforts demonstrate the importance of proactive policing and professional patrol practices in solving crimes and apprehending offenders.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming.

All persons arrested are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

07/16/2026

🚨🚨 Update🚨🚨

Phone lines are back up.

For emergencies, please dial 911.

For non-emergency assistance, please call 936-598-2788.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

📞 Phone Line Outage Notice

The Center Police Department is currently experiencing issues with our phone lines.

For emergencies, please dial 911.

For non-emergency assistance, please call 936-332-5043.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we work to resolve the issue. We will provide an update as soon as our phone lines are restored.

Thank you for your understanding.

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.