Oakland, California City Councilman Ken Houston just flipped the bird at residents during a public safety meeting, turning a discussion on crime-fighting tech into a full-blown controversy.
On Tuesday, at a meeting focused on installing Flock surveillance cameras to tackle Oakland’s crime woes, Houston made an obscene gesture to attendees, refused to apologize, and shrugged off threats of recall with brazen defiance.
For hardworking Oakland taxpayers, this isn’t just a rude hand signal—it’s a slap in the face, especially when they’re footing the bill for a $2 million contract with Flock Safety that Houston and six other council members voted to approve.
The financial burden of such contracts weighs heavily on homeowners already stretched thin, and they deserve respect, not crude antics from elected officials.
During the meeting, Houston was caught on camera making the gesture, prompting immediate backlash from those in attendance.
One speaker didn’t hold back, publicly calling him out with, “Want to give a big shout out to Ken Houston. Do you think we didn’t notice you flipping off the audience from your seat just now?” as reported by KPIX.
Houston, far from showing remorse, doubled down, telling KPIX, “The people that voted me in office voted me to be who I am, and that’s what I’m going to be, and if they don’t like it, recall me, because I don’t give a rip.”
That’s a bold way to dismiss constituents, especially when representing a city grappling with crime serious enough to warrant high-tech solutions like Flock cameras, already credited with solving cases in nearby San Francisco.
One has to wonder if this “take it or leave it” attitude serves anyone but Houston himself, while residents just want safer streets without the side of drama.
Houston insists his brash approach is exactly why voters chose him, claiming it mirrors their expectations for a fighter in office.
Yet, his social media presence, filled with videos of rants, confrontations with opponents, and clashes with protesters, paints a picture of a man more interested in spectacle than solutions.
Fellow Council Member Carrol Fife criticized this behavior, telling KPIX, “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.”
While Fife’s comparison to national politics might sting, she’s not wrong to question whether public servants should stoop to schoolyard taunts when serious issues like crime are on the table.
From a conservative standpoint, this isn’t about being overly sensitive or bowing to progressive calls for politeness—it’s about demanding accountability from leaders who should prioritize results over theatrics.
Oakland deserves better than a councilman who dismisses recall threats with a shrug, especially when every dollar spent on cameras or contracts comes from the pockets of everyday folks who just want to feel safe in their own neighborhoods.
