Tyler City Council approved a homeless outreach officer for the TPD when it passed its 2021-2022 annual budget in Sept. 2021. 

The Tyler Police Department is urging the public to use caution when traveling on West Front Street during the East Texas State Fair. 

The department will be shutting traffic down to one lane in both east and west directions on West Front Street near Harvey Convention Center beginning at about 8 a.m. Friday. Traffic will remain that way until about midnight. 

After Friday all lanes will be open until 4 p.m. and then revert back to one lane of traffic flow in each direction until closing time of the fair. This traffic pattern will hold true the duration of the fair. 

The department is urging pedestrians to cross West Front Street at the approved crosswalk in front of the main gate of the fairgrounds. Officers will be on hand for traffic control at the crosswalk. 

The department is also urging motorists to use caution in the area due to the large volume of pedestrian traffic and officers directing traffic in the street.  

Drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes if they are not attending the fair on Friday and after 4 p.m. until Oct. 1, when traffic will return to its normal flow.

The East Texas State Fair begins Friday and runs through Sept. 30.