SpaceX’s company town of Starbase, Texas, is establishing a municipal court to expand its legal infrastructure. The city administration submitted a proposed ordinance to the commission to create a court featuring a part-time judge, prosecutor, and clerk. Mayor Bobby Pedersen will serve as the interim judge until a permanent appointment is made for a two-year term. City Administrator Jorge Tamayo expressed hope that a candidate would be ready for consideration by the next month’s meeting.
This judicial development marks the latest step in Starbase’s rapid build-out of municipal services for its population of approximately 580 residents. Located adjacent to SpaceX’s rocket factory and launch facility, the city already operates a volunteer fire department and manages its own building permits and fire code inspections. The city also recently moved to establish its own police force. This decision followed the failure of a plan to contract Cameron County Sheriff’s deputies for patrol duties. Despite launching its own department, Starbase continues to pay the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department for the use of its jail facilities, as confirmed in pre-meeting paperwork.
The establishment of the Starbase Police Department is a projected six-month process. During a Wednesday meeting, the city commission reviewed the necessary application submitted to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to operationalize the force. The application detailed the rationale for the new department, citing the Sheriff’s Office’s inability to “guarantee dedicated law enforcement coverage for Starbase.” The city emphasized that its remote geographic location “requires rapid and reliable” response times, which current arrangements cannot consistently provide, raising concerns among leadership and residents.
Call volume and traffic data further justify the need for a dedicated force. The application revealed that in 2025, the city logged 420 calls for law enforcement, 180 calls for fire service, and 140 calls for Emergency Medical Services. The area also documented 353 crashes last year. Highway 4, the main artery in and out of Starbase, sees over 7,000 vehicles daily. The city attributes the demand for elevated public safety services to a “unique blend of cutting-edge technology and coastal charm,” alongside high median household incomes and rising property values.
SpaceX’s growing launch cadence and the resulting influx of tourists are also significant factors. The application states, “The City has a substantial governmental interest in ensuring the integrity of spaceflight operations occurring within its jurisdiction.” The city argues that the expectation for high-quality municipal services is driven by these economic and operational dynamics. The proposed police department aims to address these specific safety and logistical requirements, ensuring that the city can support both its residential population and the heavy vehicle traffic associated with spaceflight activities.
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