Matthews Police Department

09/04/2026

Phone System Outage

**UPDATE**

It has now been restored.

Due to an internet outage in our area, our non-emergency phone number of 704-847-5555 is NOT operational. Please continue to call 911 in an emergency which will automatically go directly to the 911 center at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Their staff will then communicate any necessary information to ours.

This outage should not have any impact on the services we provide. Repairs are expected to take several hours.

Matthews Fire & EMS
Town of Matthews, NC - Government

09/03/2026

Media Release - Matthews Alive Road Closures (2026)

September 3, 2026

In preparation for this year’s annual Matthews Alive festival, the Matthews Police Department would like to announce road closures, along with some safety tips and general event information.

ROAD CLOSURES

On Friday, September 4, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., South Trade Street will be closed from the intersection of East John Street to McDowell Street. Starting at 5:00 p.m. on the same day, this closure will be extended to Main Street for the remainder of the festival.

This entire closure is expected to reopen by approximately 11:30 p.m. on Monday, September 7, 2026. Please plan for delays in advance if you will be traveling in this area during the four scheduled days of the festival. We ask that you PLEASE drive extra cautiously as there will be heavy pedestrian traffic in the downtown area walking to and from the festival throughout the Labor Day weekend.

SAFETY TIPS

Stay hydrated;

Wear sunscreen;

Wear comfortable, adequate shoes to walk long distances in;

Try to pack as light as possible without carrying extra bags or items with you that will make it more difficult to walk long distances in the heat;

Protect yourself from theft by keeping items of value out of sight and on your person. (e.g., cash, cell phone).

**IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING**

During the entirety of the festival, Matthews Police Department staff will be on hand implementing a comprehensive security plan utilizing specific measures to prioritize the safety of attendees.

WAYS TO NOTIFY POLICE WHILE AT THE FESTIVAL:

Get the attention of any officer who may be near you;

Go to the Matthews Police Department tent that will be located at the corner of South Trade Street and Sadie Drive;

Call 911;

Call our communications center directly at 704-847-5555.

For more information on Matthews Alive, as well as ways to monitor the festival for important updates or announcements, please see the links below.

Website - https://matthewsalive.org/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MatthewsAlive

X - https://x.com/MatthewsAliveNC

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Matthews Fire & EMS
Mecklenburg EMS Agency - Medic
Town of Matthews, NC - Government

08/31/2026

Media Release - Missing (20260831004)

August 31, 2026 (**UPDATE**)

She has been safely located.

August 31, 2026

Please help us locate Alexandra Eileen Martin (DOB - 09/03/1987), who was last seen in the 1900 block of Windsor Hill Drive on May 27, 2026. She is described as a white female, 5'5" tall, weighing approximately 150 lbs., with brown hair and green eyes.

Please call 911 or 704-847-5555 with any information on her whereabouts.

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08/31/2026

Newest Addition

We are happy to announce the arrival of the newest member of the MPD family, Officer Cole Rempson.

Cole was born and raised in Charlotte and graduated from Myers Park High School. He most recently graduated from the Central Piedmont Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Program.

Officer Rempson will be assigned to the Patrol Division.

If you want to serve your community in an extraordinary way, visit www.joinmatthewspd.org for information on getting your career started!

08/28/2026

We honestly can't brag enough about how amazing Heather is at her job, and we want to thank the town administration for recognizing that.

We are so appreciative of her service to the Matthews community and thankful that she chose to be such an important part of the MPD family.

We’re proud to recognize Animal Control Officer Heather Kirkman as the Town of Matthews Employee of the Year for FY 2025–2026, an honor that reflects her deep commitment to both the people and animals of our community.

Heather approaches her work with genuine care, compassion, and a willingness to step in wherever she’s needed. From connecting residents with resources, partnering with rescue organizations, and organizing a spay & neuter clinic, she consistently looks beyond the immediate task to make a broader impact.

Her dedication to her coworkers and the Police Department is just as remarkable, she's always ready to help during staffing shortages, take on responsibilities outside her role, or come in on her day off when the community needs her. Her previous recognition as Officer of the Quarter and a CIVIC Award speaks volumes about the example she sets.

At the heart of Heather’s work is service — the kind that embodies our CIVIC values and strengthens the Matthews community every day.

Thank you, Officer Kirkman, for the difference you make.
We’re grateful to have you on our team. 💙

08/27/2026

Matthews Gives Back School Supply Drive

We are happy to report another year of success in providing students in our area with 216 backpacks full of essential tools to kick off their school year the right way!

We had a great event with food, fun, and friends to celebrate our students and families during this important time of year. We can't thank everyone enough for donating their time and money to keep this important initiative going strong as it continues to grow each year.

We want to especially thank the following community partners for their continued support and investment in the students of Matthews:

Matthews HELP Center
Standing Ovation Barbershop
Carolina Cat
The Weisiger Group
Kiwanis Club of Matthews, NC
VeloPops Charlotte
Target Store Charlotte-Se
Atrium Health
Town of Matthews, NC - Government
Town of Matthews Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resource Department
Novant Health
Sam's Club

08/25/2026

Officer of the Quarter

We want to congratulate Officer Cotto of the Patrol Division on being recognized by the Rotary Club of Greater Matthews as "Officer of the Quarter."

Officer Cotto responded to a welfare check request involving a citizen whose family members, located out of state, were concerned for her well-being. Upon arriving at the residence, Officer Cotto encountered a citizen who appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Through patience, empathy, and effective communication, Officer Cotto spoke with the citizen and de-escalated the situation. His calm and caring approach helped the citizen feel safe and supported, significantly improving her emotional state.

Following the interaction, the citizen contacted the department to express her heartfelt appreciation for Officer Cotto’s actions. She spoke highly of the compassion, understanding, and respect he demonstrated during their encounter and emphasized how much his support meant to her during a difficult time. She also shared that she was feeling much better and was grateful for the positive experience she had with both Officer Cotto and the Matthews Police Department.

Officer Cotto’s actions exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement service. His ability to connect with individuals in crisis, treat them with dignity and respect, and provide reassurance during challenging circumstances reflects the qualities we strive to embody as police officers.

08/24/2026

🚨 Matthews Alive: Prohibited Items 🚨

We’re excited to welcome everyone to Matthews Alive, and we want to help make sure the event is safe, enjoyable, and family-friendly for all. For everyone’s safety, the following items are prohibited at the event:

ALCOHOL
Outside alcohol is not permitted. Alcohol can contribute to impaired judgment, unsafe behavior, and accidents in a busy festival environment. Please enjoy responsibly and follow all event and local regulations.

E-BIKES / SCOOTERS / BICYCLES
E-bikes, scooters, nor pedal bicycles are not permitted within the event area. With large crowds, narrow walkways, and children moving throughout the festival, these vehicles can create a serious collision or injury risk. Please leave them at home or use designated areas outside the event footprint.

WEAPONS
Weapons of any kind are prohibited. This includes fi****ms, knives, and other items that could be used to cause injury.

PETS
Per Town ordinance, pets are not permitted at the event. Large crowds, loud music, heat, and unfamiliar surroundings can be stressful or dangerous for animals and can create trip, bite, or other safety hazards for attendees. Service animals are permitted in accordance with applicable law.

Help us keep Matthews Alive safe for everyone!
Please plan ahead, leave prohibited items at home, and help us create a fun, welcoming experience for our entire community.

Thank you for doing your part to make Matthews Alive an enjoyable celebration!

08/23/2026

Back To School Traffic

Tuesday is the big day in our area, and traffic will most definitely reflect that. If you haven't already, make plans now to allow more time for your morning commute. Also, if your commute goes through a school zone, this is a good time to check whether you can use an alternative route to avoid it, which will help you and reduce traffic congestion.

Most drivers are prone to making the riskiest decisions and driving much faster than usual when running late, so please plan ahead for everyone's safety and your own stress.

Please take a moment to watch the short video linked below for a refresher on when to stop for a school bus.

Do you know when to stop for a school bus? More information: http...

08/22/2026

**UPDATE** (1559 hours)

The road is now back open.

Traffic Alert - There is a single vehicle traffic crash involving a utility pole on East John Street at Cotton Gin Alley. East John Street remains open in both directions, but please expect a slight delay until repairs are completed as officers direct traffic through the area.

Matthews Fire & EMS
Mecklenburg EMS Agency - Medic
Town of Matthews, NC - Government
Duke Energy