The STARS (Superhuman Terrorism Armed Response Squad) are elite squads sent to do the dangerous and unenviable task of putting a stop to Abnormal-related crimes. They often view themselves as the first line of defense between Baselines and the Abnormals that dwell among them. This "us vs. them" attitude, and the STARS' tendency to shoot first and as questions later, has received harsh criticism and routine condemnation, but as long as taxpayers are afraid of having their homes or businesses leveled by a superpowered conflict, the STARS receive praise, funding, and great leeway to act. Wide-spread reports of unwarranted brutality against nonhostile and unresisting Abnormals clings to them like a bad stench, and Abnormals on both sides of the law openly despise them.