RIO GRANDE CITY – Starr County has a new multi-agency unit tackling crime.

A handful of police departments, the sheriff’s office and the county attorney’s office are all part of the Starr County Special Crimes Unit.

“The population grows as time goes things change,” Rio Grande City Police Chief Noe Castillo said. “It’s a joint effort and nobody can do this type of thing alone. It’s us coming together to meet the same common goal in law enforcement.”

At least one person from each police department and the sheriff’s office is involved in the unit. The goal is to keep manpower on the streets.

Nothing is changing about how operations are handled.

“Instead of us having to use six people or seven people, we use one and we affect the same goal targeting different areas in the county,” he said.

Castillo said drug houses are very common in Starr County. One game room and two drug houses were busted since the unit was formed. Nine arrests were made.

“This is affective to the point that we’re working Rio Grande City, we’re working Starr County, we’re working Roma. And you know we address the issues we have in their area,” he explained.

Tax money is left untouched. Castillo said the unit won’t take a toll on city budgets.

The unit is guided by a board. It will be required to let the cities’ various councils posted.

The agencies that are involved in the unit are La Grulla, Rio Grande City, Escobares and Roma police departments.

The Starr County Sheriff’s Office and the county’s attorney’s office are also in the Starr County Special Crimes Unit.