Jaime Omar Yassin [TNH]
@hyphyrepublic.bsky.social
I'm @hyphy_republic on Twitter, aka The Oakland Observer, an Oakland journalist. Newsletter @ https://oakland-observer.ghost.io/ :One time contributions to the OO instead of subscription https://oakland-observer.ghost.io/#/portal/support
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At Committees This Week: Showdown on Flock at Public Safety
Public Safety Committee
Oakland Flock Expansion:
After weeks of feints and fakes, OPD’s quest to take over and expand the City’s CHP-initiated Flock surveillance system will finally come before the Oakland Public Safety Committee on Tuesday at 6pm. The committee’s chair, CM Charlene Wang, first tried to
oakland-observer.ghost.io
New: on Tuesday, after attempts to avoid a committee review of OPD's Flock contract by both Public Safety Chair Wang & OPD, the Committee will decide whether to forward OPD's expanded Flock program to Council...as the nation turns against Flock.
Reposted by Jaime Omar Yassin [TNH]
LPRs patrol cars do mapping & time stamping of citizens cars on their own street
Seen maps of OPD daily repeat loops thru communities LPR tagging all cars they drive by
+ flock = 100% targeted pattern n place LEA surveillance of targeted ppl
# n X OPD Database access FOIA by citizen name needed
Seen maps of OPD daily repeat loops thru communities LPR tagging all cars they drive by
+ flock = 100% targeted pattern n place LEA surveillance of targeted ppl
# n X OPD Database access FOIA by citizen name needed
November 28, 2025 at 2:52 AM
LPRs patrol cars do mapping & time stamping of citizens cars on their own street
Seen maps of OPD daily repeat loops thru communities LPR tagging all cars they drive by
+ flock = 100% targeted pattern n place LEA surveillance of targeted ppl
# n X OPD Database access FOIA by citizen name needed
Seen maps of OPD daily repeat loops thru communities LPR tagging all cars they drive by
+ flock = 100% targeted pattern n place LEA surveillance of targeted ppl
# n X OPD Database access FOIA by citizen name needed
Houston brought EAP back to schedule on 10/16 w/ no amendments. Chair Jenkins obliged scheduling a special meeting w/little notice, citing urgency. Meanwhile, Cal HCD/ICH suggested just 2 weeks earlier EAP would cost Oakland's $20 MM grant. Letter dated 9/29, from HCD/ICH/HHAP
November 27, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Houston brought EAP back to schedule on 10/16 w/ no amendments. Chair Jenkins obliged scheduling a special meeting w/little notice, citing urgency. Meanwhile, Cal HCD/ICH suggested just 2 weeks earlier EAP would cost Oakland's $20 MM grant. Letter dated 9/29, from HCD/ICH/HHAP
How do these national mags have no ground game in any of the local jurisdictions they report on. Absolutely hilarious take, while local media is finding out he has an abundance of houses, and uses an out of state one as his legal address
“We are in this era where we need new ideas, we need new leaders, we need people who are going to push the party in a new direction,” says Saikat Chakrabarti.
Saikat Chakrabarti’s Plan for the Political Revolution
“My goal, honestly, is to replace a huge part of the Democrat establishment,” says AOC’s former chief of staff, who is running for Nancy Pelosi’s open seat.
interc.pt
November 27, 2025 at 10:38 PM
How do these national mags have no ground game in any of the local jurisdictions they report on. Absolutely hilarious take, while local media is finding out he has an abundance of houses, and uses an out of state one as his legal address
If you're looking for a cracking good story to read in bed on a federal holiday, this Flock story's got it all.
Reporter’s Notebook: Committee Failure Breaks Flock Momentum For Now--More on Oakland Arms Embargo and OPD's Bearcats
Flock Fails at Public Safety Committee Meeting
A surprise stalemate at Oakland’s Public Safety Committee Tuesday sapped the trajectory of what many observers believed was an all but assured vote to institutionalize and expand OPD’s Flock surveillance program. OPD’s proposal that would see the department taking over
oakland-observer.ghost.io
November 27, 2025 at 5:33 PM
If you're looking for a cracking good story to read in bed on a federal holiday, this Flock story's got it all.
The center-right SF-based "Abundance Network" which sought to install a techbroletariat friendly Mayor in Oakland terminated its finance committee this week. That's not in itself significant, as these finance committees are treated like disposable rain ponchos
November 27, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The center-right SF-based "Abundance Network" which sought to install a techbroletariat friendly Mayor in Oakland terminated its finance committee this week. That's not in itself significant, as these finance committees are treated like disposable rain ponchos
Reposted by Jaime Omar Yassin [TNH]
Super interesting report.
You may have heard the news Flock failed at Committee, but you haven't seen all the details, like who was awake and who was asleep during the meeting, among other things. Also reports on Oakland People's Arms Embargo & a fateful vote at Police Commission
Reporter’s Notebook: Committee Failure Breaks Flock Momentum For Now--More on Oakland Arms Embargo and OPD's Bearcats
Flock Fails at Public Safety Committee Meeting
A surprise stalemate at Oakland’s Public Safety Committee Tuesday sapped the trajectory of what many observers believed was an all but assured vote to institutionalize and expand OPD’s Flock surveillance program. OPD’s proposal that would see the department taking over
oakland-observer.ghost.io
November 26, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Super interesting report.
Well before Houston's "Encampment Abatement" plan was introduced at Council in September, City was told in specific terms it didn't meet ICH guidelines, and it would likely result in loss of HHAP6 funding grant, then in process. Yet it was still brought to Council w/"urgency"
November 26, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Well before Houston's "Encampment Abatement" plan was introduced at Council in September, City was told in specific terms it didn't meet ICH guidelines, and it would likely result in loss of HHAP6 funding grant, then in process. Yet it was still brought to Council w/"urgency"
You may have heard the news Flock failed at Committee, but you haven't seen all the details, like who was awake and who was asleep during the meeting, among other things. Also reports on Oakland People's Arms Embargo & a fateful vote at Police Commission
Reporter’s Notebook: Committee Failure Breaks Flock Momentum For Now--More on Oakland Arms Embargo and OPD's Bearcats
Flock Fails at Public Safety Committee Meeting
A surprise stalemate at Oakland’s Public Safety Committee Tuesday sapped the trajectory of what many observers believed was an all but assured vote to institutionalize and expand OPD’s Flock surveillance program. OPD’s proposal that would see the department taking over
oakland-observer.ghost.io
November 25, 2025 at 11:11 PM
You may have heard the news Flock failed at Committee, but you haven't seen all the details, like who was awake and who was asleep during the meeting, among other things. Also reports on Oakland People's Arms Embargo & a fateful vote at Police Commission
Great work from Martha in Inside Higher Ed on Cal State's bizarre adoption of Chat GPT
Earlier this month, lawsuits brought against OpenAI suggested the potential of ChatGPT to cause serious mental health harms in users.
In light of these cases, the Cal State U system must not continue providing ChatGPT to students.
My opinion essay in @insidehighered.com today
In light of these cases, the Cal State U system must not continue providing ChatGPT to students.
My opinion essay in @insidehighered.com today
November 25, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Great work from Martha in Inside Higher Ed on Cal State's bizarre adoption of Chat GPT
Wild NYT story came out today claiming Oakland is facing bankruptcy due to the ITS coal suit, when the federal judge on Friday vacated the bankruptcy court's ruling. This bolsters the idea that ITS was "forum" shopping and the ruling won't hold
Kentucky Judge Vacates “Final Judgment” Against Oakland on Developer’s Big Money Claims
On Halloween, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Beaton took over the massive damages suit brought by would-be coal terminal developer Insight Terminal Solutions (ITS), removing ITS’s handpicked bankruptcy court judge who had entered “final judgment” against the City of Oakland four days previously.
Although United States Bankruptcy Judge ...
nocoalinoakland.info
November 24, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Wild NYT story came out today claiming Oakland is facing bankruptcy due to the ITS coal suit, when the federal judge on Friday vacated the bankruptcy court's ruling. This bolsters the idea that ITS was "forum" shopping and the ruling won't hold
Would love to know the material outcomes of stuff like this in reg-degular fed cases. Are we going to see people file for dismissal based on bad faith? Not a lawyer, just curious www.nytimes.com/live...
November 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Would love to know the material outcomes of stuff like this in reg-degular fed cases. Are we going to see people file for dismissal based on bad faith? Not a lawyer, just curious www.nytimes.com/live...
Theres no way to know how officers use information they are given access to unless they log it, the real reason use policies tend to be useless. Keep in mind, the head of OPD's surveillance wing is a Board Director in OPOA, a major political player
Kaiser Permanente disbanded 8-person California security team amid concerns about of illegal searches
The scandal’s statewide reach vastly expands the known number of Kaiser security personnel whose employment ended after the allegations arose.
www.mercurynews.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Theres no way to know how officers use information they are given access to unless they log it, the real reason use policies tend to be useless. Keep in mind, the head of OPD's surveillance wing is a Board Director in OPOA, a major political player
With such a constant focus on arguing for Flock, local media disdain actual real time investigations about whether it works. Take for example, the hi profile story about a horrible hit and run on 73rd by a speeding car in the bike lane. 6 Flock ALPRs, but no arrests?
November 22, 2025 at 7:32 PM
With such a constant focus on arguing for Flock, local media disdain actual real time investigations about whether it works. Take for example, the hi profile story about a horrible hit and run on 73rd by a speeding car in the bike lane. 6 Flock ALPRs, but no arrests?
Apropos oaklandside.org/2025/11/21/m...
November 22, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Apropos oaklandside.org/2025/11/21/m...
Media still wondering aloud every week about pursuits, as lawsuits and deaths stack up for policy that has on tangible impact on crime. The right wing would be SOL w/out corporate media muddying the waters 2/4/7 because all of their policies are so manifestly mindless.
November 22, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Media still wondering aloud every week about pursuits, as lawsuits and deaths stack up for policy that has on tangible impact on crime. The right wing would be SOL w/out corporate media muddying the waters 2/4/7 because all of their policies are so manifestly mindless.
A glance at December 2nd agenda, more on all this later: first, despite hue and cry over OBOT suit, the final judgement appears to be 700K. Not a little, but certainly not imminent bankruptcy, with some insights into how the Kentucky suit may turn out
November 21, 2025 at 11:27 PM
A glance at December 2nd agenda, more on all this later: first, despite hue and cry over OBOT suit, the final judgement appears to be 700K. Not a little, but certainly not imminent bankruptcy, with some insights into how the Kentucky suit may turn out
OPD's union has put itself in a strange situation. One of a handful of officers assigned to run surveillance for the agency is a board member; and OPOA crossed red lines during the recall. Current Flock contract puts unprecedented surveillance power in the hands of a board member, new one even more
Just a note that at least one of the officers assigned to the "Real Time Operations Center", the nebulous delegation of OPD focused on acquiring and managing surveillance technology in charge of the Flock project is a board Director of the extremely political OPOA
November 21, 2025 at 5:57 PM
OPD's union has put itself in a strange situation. One of a handful of officers assigned to run surveillance for the agency is a board member; and OPOA crossed red lines during the recall. Current Flock contract puts unprecedented surveillance power in the hands of a board member, new one even more
Just a note that at least one of the officers assigned to the "Real Time Operations Center", the nebulous delegation of OPD focused on acquiring and managing surveillance technology in charge of the Flock project is a board Director of the extremely political OPOA
November 21, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Just a note that at least one of the officers assigned to the "Real Time Operations Center", the nebulous delegation of OPD focused on acquiring and managing surveillance technology in charge of the Flock project is a board Director of the extremely political OPOA
Oakland People's Arms Embargo is stepping up the campaign to get Port Commission to ban weapons parts shipments that transit through the Oak airport to Israel for use in its genocidal war against Palestinians. Rally today at 3 ahead of 4pm public comment at Port.
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Oakland People's Arms Embargo is stepping up the campaign to get Port Commission to ban weapons parts shipments that transit through the Oak airport to Israel for use in its genocidal war against Palestinians. Rally today at 3 ahead of 4pm public comment at Port.
As reported weeks ago, the EAP is on its way back to Council on December 2nd. Worth noting, with months to respond to the redline version from state, and warning Oakland's likely to lose millions in funding in current version, there's no amendments from Houston or the D6 office.
November 20, 2025 at 5:24 PM
As reported weeks ago, the EAP is on its way back to Council on December 2nd. Worth noting, with months to respond to the redline version from state, and warning Oakland's likely to lose millions in funding in current version, there's no amendments from Houston or the D6 office.
Its possible that the only council member that still supports Flock one 24 hour news cycle after another of Flock horror stories is the one who grabbed a blanket and slept through the very informed public's warnings about it on Tuesday night. apnews.com/article/immi...
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious.
apnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Its possible that the only council member that still supports Flock one 24 hour news cycle after another of Flock horror stories is the one who grabbed a blanket and slept through the very informed public's warnings about it on Tuesday night. apnews.com/article/immi...
Tuesday was a long night, and Oakland Observer started a second thread for the Flock deliberation. I've put it into a Twitter Thread; I caught about 95% of comments on video; I think perhaps 10 of over 100 were pro Flock
On to Flock in this second thread for the meeting devoted strictly to the Flock item https://t.co/tY53SbLRvz by @Oak_Observer(The Oakland Observer) | Twitter Thread Reader
On to Flock in this second thread for the meeting devoted strictly to the Flock item https://t.co/tY53SbLRvz
twitter-thread.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Tuesday was a long night, and Oakland Observer started a second thread for the Flock deliberation. I've put it into a Twitter Thread; I caught about 95% of comments on video; I think perhaps 10 of over 100 were pro Flock
I've been informed that ICE is active around Hoover Elementary, Hoover Foster neighborhood.
November 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I've been informed that ICE is active around Hoover Elementary, Hoover Foster neighborhood.
Reposted by Jaime Omar Yassin [TNH]
Looking for something to do this Tuesday evening? Why not try a field trip with @eastsideurbanism.org and help push back against dragnet #surveillance in #Redmond?
#deflock #alpr #flock #flocksafety
#deflock #alpr #flock #flocksafety
Field trip to Redmond City Council, Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 6:30 PM | Meetup
We are attending Redmond City Council meeting on **Tuesday, November 18,** to show our support for the Council's decision to disable Flock's license plate readers. We want
www.meetup.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Looking for something to do this Tuesday evening? Why not try a field trip with @eastsideurbanism.org and help push back against dragnet #surveillance in #Redmond?
#deflock #alpr #flock #flocksafety
#deflock #alpr #flock #flocksafety
Looks like San Jose is also getting sued over Flock...by a consortium of organizations arguing that mass surveillance with low efficacy rate is unconstitutional warrantless search
Civil liberties groups sue San Jose over warrantless access to license plate reader data
The Electronic Frontier Foundation, ACLU, CAIR and SIREN have joined forces in an attempt to put a check on surveillance searches in San Jose that are utilized by local police and outside agencies.
www.mercurynews.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Looks like San Jose is also getting sued over Flock...by a consortium of organizations arguing that mass surveillance with low efficacy rate is unconstitutional warrantless search