Starbase may not have its own police department, but law enforcement is still present.
For several months, sheriff’s deputies from Cameron County have been monitoring the roads and beaches near SpaceX’s expansive rocket site in South Texas. Now, less than a year after Starbase residents voted to become an incorporated city, formal agreements have been made designating these deputies as the city’s acting police force, and establishing Cameron County jails as the holding facilities for anyone detained within Starbase.
These two interlocal agreements, which were approved in September and take effect Wednesday, are extensive. One stipulates that Cameron County will assign eight deputies to Starbase, although only two will be on duty in the city at any given time.
The second agreement involves Cameron County supplying “jail services,” with Starbase committing to pay $100 per inmate per day, as well as covering extra costs such as medical or mental health care for detainees.
This approach allows Starbase to quickly establish a functioning criminal justice system without having to develop one independently. Such partnerships are fairly common in Texas, particularly among small or newly incorporated municipalities that lack the resources to maintain their own police departments.
However, Starbase is far from an ordinary city. Its population is limited, and most residents are SpaceX employees. The city only came into existence after SpaceX acquired much of Boca Chica Village and expanded its operations in the area.
The law enforcement agreement covers more than just daily patrols. Starbase also has the option to pay for additional security during “special events”—most likely rocket launches, which draw thousands of visitors to Boca Chica to witness Starship’s impressive flights.
Including a provision for extra police during major events is a strategic decision, highlighting that Starbase is not a conventional city but rather a company town focused on one mission: launching Starship as often as possible.
This arrangement makes that clear. Although Starbase has its own mayor and city officials, public safety is managed by Cameron County. According to the agreement, body camera footage and other records are retained by the county, and any concerns about policing must be addressed with county authorities. For now, while SpaceX has created its own community, the authority to enforce the law remains elsewhere.
