Oakland councilman flips off residents at meeting, doubles down on aggressive style

An Oakland city councilman faced a heated moment at a Tuesday public safety meeting after he flashed a middle finger to residents who spoke against a proposal to expand the city’s use of Flock Safety surveillance cameras. Councilmember Ken Houston, who describes himself as the 'son of Oakland,' later told local outlets he doesn’t 'give a rip' if he’s recalled over the incident.

During the meeting, Houston and six of his colleagues voted to proceed with a roughly $2 million contract with Flock Safety to continue using the cameras, which supporters say help deter crime and solve cases. The cameras have been credited with aiding investigations in neighboring San Francisco. After the incident, Houston told KPIX that he performed the gesture intentionally, saying, 'Yes, I did. Because I’m always like this.' He added that he was elected for an aggressive style and wouldn’t back down from confrontations.

Other council members criticized the behavior. Councilmember Carrol Fife said the moment mirrors the partisan discourse seen at higher levels of government and urged the body to avoid such rhetoric, noting, 'It’s mirroring what’s happening at the federal level, with the level of discourse, and I don’t think we should engage in that way.'

Conversations about Flock Safety in Oakland tap into a broader debate over surveillance technology and civil liberties. Supporters argue the cameras deter crime and assist investigators, while critics worry about privacy, potential bias, and the chilling effect on residents who feel watched. The roughly $2 million contract covers ongoing camera use, maintenance, and related services, and comes as the city assesses the balance between public safety needs and civil liberties concerns.

Residents at the meeting expressed concerns about privacy protections and oversight, while some attendees floated the possibility of recalls if officials do not curb what they described as hostile or inappropriate conduct.

Houston has a track record of outspoken, forceful rhetoric. His social media presence features in-your-face videos and fiery exchanges with protesters, which he has defended as a reflection of his hard-edged approach. At the meeting, he reiterated a stance that he is «not a politician» who will be spoken down to, and he emphasized that he intended the gesture as part of his public persona.

Officials say the debate over Flock Safety will continue as Oakland weighs how best to balance public safety needs with residents’ concerns about surveillance. The cameras have been billed as tools for solving crimes, but the ongoing discussion underscores broader tensions over how local governments communicate with the public and how far officials should go to project strength during contentious hearings.