Oakland Councilman Flips Off Residents During Meeting, Says Recall Won’t Change His Style

An East Oakland city councilman flashed a middle finger at residents during a public safety hearing about adding Flock surveillance cameras, and refused to apologize, saying he does not "give a rip" if he is recalled. The incident occurred at a Tuesday meeting as tensions over public safety policy spilled into the room, and the gesture was captured on video by attendees.

Houston has been described as hotheaded and told KPIX that the people who voted him in office voted him to be who he is, and that’s what he’s going to be, and if they don’t like it, recall him, because he does not give a rip. He acknowledged the gesture, saying, "Yes, I did. Because I’m always like this." The councilmember’s posts on Instagram have shown confrontational scenes with protesters and harsh framings of problems in his district. He was among seven councilmembers who voted for a roughly $2 million contract with Flock Safety to continue using the cameras, which supporters say help deter and solve crimes in cities including San Francisco.

Houston’s conduct drew criticism from colleagues. Councilmember Carrol Fife compared his macho approach to national discourse, saying, "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." Fife told KPIX.

The Flock Safety contract is part of a broader public-safety policy debate in Oakland, where officials say the cameras are meant to deter crime and aid investigations. The seven-vote approval of the roughly $2 million contract comes as opponents warn of the risks of policing-centric approaches and the erosion of decorum in local government. Supporters point to successful uses of Flock cameras in peer cities and emphasize transparency and accountability measures attached to the program.

In Oakland, as in many city councils across the country, the incident has intensified discussions about how far officials should go in signaling toughness versus maintaining civility in public debate. Houston’s allies portray his style as direct and unapologetic, while critics say it undermines productive dialogue and erodes trust in local governance. Recalls are rare but not unprecedented in municipal settings, and the episode has energized residents and advocacy groups who have watched the measure’s passage with increased scrutiny.

As Oakland continues to navigate questions about surveillance, policing, and public accountability, the city’s leaders face pressure to demonstrate that policy decisions are grounded in public safety outcomes and community trust rather than personal theatrics. The dialogue surrounding the Flock contract and conduct at hearings is likely to reverberate through upcoming votes and public forums.