Starbase, a unique company town established around SpaceX’s expansive rocket facility in South Texas, has formalized its public safety arrangements with Cameron County. As part of the agreement, deputies from the county will serve as the de facto police force for Starbase, which is not a traditional municipality but is focused on a singular goal: launching the Starship frequently and efficiently.
Incorporated as a city just under a year ago, Starbase is governed by its independent mayor and commissioners. It depends on nearby Cameron County scrambling for any outsize law enforcement maneuvers and Cameron for jail services. The agreement gives Starbase the ability to prioritize safety without the resources that would be needed for a full municipality.
Cameron County has agreed to keep a minimum of eight deputies patrolling the area around Starbase as part of the contract. For each shift, only two deputies will be on duty. This staffing model is a function of the town’s size and specific needs, especially considering its new concentration on aerospace-related endeavors. The county’s jails will likely be the only jails available for any arrests made within the city limits of Starbase.
Starbase can afford to improve their business operations by funding security for special events, if they want it. These events will probably be scheduled to coincide with nearby rocket launches, too. Starbase will reimburse county $100 a day for every inmate it houses in Cameron County jails. Furthermore, they would be responsible for reimbursing any additional expenses incurred, including medical or psychiatric treatment.
Body camera footage and other public safety records will continue to be controlled by Cameron County. Residents who experience problematic or discriminatory policing practices have to take their complaints directly to the county. They can’t negotiate these issues with municipalities. Such arrangements are the rule across much of Texas. This is particularly the case in smaller or recently settled towns that are frequently ill-equipped with robust policing assets.
While the partnership with Cameron County provides a structured approach to managing public safety, it raises questions about community control and accountability. To have any real impact, residents need to hold their elected officials’ feet to the fire. They further have to establish rapport with the county deputies that patrol their streets.