Starbase Receipt of Eight Patrolling Deputies from Cameron County Indicates Continued Reliance on County’s Public Safety Infrastructure

CAMERON COUNTY – The Starbase City Commission approved a five-year contract with Cameron County on Sept. 11 to provide the city with eight full-time sheriff’s deputies.

The $3.5 million agreement covers salaries, benefits, patrol vehicles, and equipment, and is set to begin Oct. 1.

“I think this will really be a welcome addition to the city,” City Administrator Kent Myers said during Sept. 11’s meeting.
He added that he is “looking forward to meeting the new deputies and getting them started.”

The deputies will be assigned solely to Starbase and maintain a consistent presence within the city.
Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Treviño said deputies have been patrolling the area as needed. Sheriff Treviño responded to whether there were any particular public safety concerns in Starbase at this stage:

“For right now, we just patrol the area whenever we are needed,” he said. “Or we’re able to make it all the way out there.” Treviño added, “You get those curious onlookers where the rocket is at or where the manufacturing site is at. Things like that. But for the city itself? No.”

The contract allows Starbase to request reassignment of any deputy if the city is dissatisfied.

Treviño clarified the eight new positions are contract roles and not civil service posts. Deputies would need to submit a separate application to become regular sheriff’s deputies.

“And that’s something that the individual that’s applying — that would be his or her decision,” he said. “Whether they want to apply for that or not.”

The Cameron County Commissioners Court approved the contract on Aug. 26.

Precinct 3 Commissioner David A. Garza voted against the contract, citing insufficient public notice of the contract details.

“I think that the exhibit should have been attached so the public could have read what it had behind it,” Garza said. After assurances that legal requirements were met, the remaining commissioners approved the agreement.

Starbase will also pay Cameron County for jail services under a separate contract scheduled for review on Sept. 17. The law enforcement agreement runs through Sept. 30, 2030, with a 90-day notice required for early termination.