Starbase Establishes Police Force through Cameron County Agreement: A Look at Texas’ Unique Company Town Built Around SpaceX
In the absence of a municipal police department, Starbase, Texas, has secured law enforcement services through formal agreements with Cameron County. These agreements, effective as of Wednesday following approval in September, designate county sheriff’s deputies as the de facto policing force for the burgeoning city surrounding SpaceX’s rocket facility.
Under these interlocal deals, Cameron County is required to assign eight deputies to Starbase, with two on patrol during each shift. Additionally, the county will provide “jail services,” with Starbase agreeing to cover a daily fee of $100 per inmate and reimburse additional costs such as medical or psychiatric care for detainees.
This arrangement enables the swift establishment of a criminal justice system without the need for extensive construction, a common practice among smaller or newly incorporated towns that may struggle to establish their own police force.
However, Starbase deviates from typical town dynamics. Its population is primarily composed of SpaceX employees, and the city’s formation followed SpaceX’s acquisition of properties in Boca Chica Village and expansion of its launch-and-manufacturing activities.
The law enforcement contract extends beyond routine patrols, allowing Starbase to request additional security during “special events” – likely space launches, which attract thousands of spectators to the small beach town of Boca Chica.
This provision for increased police presence during special events is strategically astute and underscores the unique nature of Starbase as a company town centered around one primary objective: the frequent launch of SpaceX’s Starship.
The agreement underscores this reality. While Starbase boasts its own mayor and commissioners, public safety remains under Cameron County jurisdiction. Body camera footage and other records will be managed by the county, as per the agreement, and any concerns regarding local policing will require dialogue with neighboring authorities. For now, SpaceX has established a town of its own, but the power to enforce laws remains with another entity.
