safety
Police department phone lines down in multiple West Texas cities
By Katelyn Carlock at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 14, 2026
· 1 min read
Texas (KOSA) - Multiple police departments across West Texas cities are reporting internet outages and down phone lines, impacting non-emergency contact numbers.Here are the alternate numbers residents can use for non-emergency calls:Kermit: (432) 999-0376Winkler County: No non-emergency line ava...
Key takeaway City officials say they understand the inconvenience and appreciate the public’s patience as crews work to restore service.
Why this matters in The Midland
The disruption of police department phone lines in multiple West Texas cities, including those in the Midland -Odessa area, has significant implications for public safety and community access to local law enforcement. While emergency services remain available through 911, the outage of non-emergency lines may hinder residents' ability to report minor incidents or seek assistance with non-urgent matters. The provision of alternate contact numbers for cities like Kermit, Big Spring, and Monahans will help mitigate the impact, but the lack of a non-emergency line in Winkler County may pose challenges for residents who need to reach out to authorities for non-life-threatening issues. As crews work to restore service, it is crucial for residents to be aware of these alternate contact methods and to use 911 judiciously, reserving it for true emergencies. The situation underscores the need for reliable communication infrastructure in local law enforcement.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Texas (KOSA) - Multiple police departments across West Texas cities are reporting internet outages and down phone lines, impacting non-emergency contact numbers.Here are the alternate numbers residents can use for non-emergency calls:Kermit: (432) 999-0376Winkler County: No non-emergency line ava...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Katelyn Carlock at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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