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
Owner of Scott's Seafood, Raymond Gallagher, has been extremely active in Oakland's right wing political environment, strong supporter of Armstrong, recalls, etc. Now, the Port, the holder of Scott's lease, is offering Scott's an incredible break on rent
December 5, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Owner of Scott's Seafood, Raymond Gallagher, has been extremely active in Oakland's right wing political environment, strong supporter of Armstrong, recalls, etc. Now, the Port, the holder of Scott's lease, is offering Scott's an incredible break on rent
Shocked, SHOCKED
December 5, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Shocked, SHOCKED
The real winner over Public Works' ill-fated decision to go with horrifying international security behemoth Allied is ABC security, the Juarez linked shady org will end up getting the equivalent of the 3-year contract they would have failed to win in 2022, or longer, by default
December 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
The real winner over Public Works' ill-fated decision to go with horrifying international security behemoth Allied is ABC security, the Juarez linked shady org will end up getting the equivalent of the 3-year contract they would have failed to win in 2022, or longer, by default
Here's Chandler, a former AIPAC lobbyist, lying about this straight to the council's face on the record.
December 3, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Here's Chandler, a former AIPAC lobbyist, lying about this straight to the council's face on the record.
During Flock deliberation, Trevor Chandler told CMs story of Flock reinstalling cameras after Evanston took them down was "misinformation", that it was just a mixup w/Flock techs. But Flock's Spox Josh Thomas now admits in Politico that the original version is true
December 3, 2025 at 9:28 PM
During Flock deliberation, Trevor Chandler told CMs story of Flock reinstalling cameras after Evanston took them down was "misinformation", that it was just a mixup w/Flock techs. But Flock's Spox Josh Thomas now admits in Politico that the original version is true
Here's email from the ICH that stopped Houston's updated EAP. Choke point is Houston amplifies already vast hi sensitivity areas in EMP, but doesn't identify lo sensitivity areas--responding to ICH's complaint there needs to be somewhere to go, but refusing to identify where
December 3, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Here's email from the ICH that stopped Houston's updated EAP. Choke point is Houston amplifies already vast hi sensitivity areas in EMP, but doesn't identify lo sensitivity areas--responding to ICH's complaint there needs to be somewhere to go, but refusing to identify where
Per Gallup poll, American views on capitalism are at an all time low, led by young people, and buoyed only by brainless MAGA.
December 2, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Per Gallup poll, American views on capitalism are at an all time low, led by young people, and buoyed only by brainless MAGA.
But it will be important to see how other changes in the document are handled...the document, clearly at the behest of CA HCD/ICH, now includes non-binding guidance to perform vehicular tows in conjunction with EM Team, allow victims to move vehicle to another place
November 28, 2025 at 10:21 PM
But it will be important to see how other changes in the document are handled...the document, clearly at the behest of CA HCD/ICH, now includes non-binding guidance to perform vehicular tows in conjunction with EM Team, allow victims to move vehicle to another place
One important change in encampment rules: Ca also agrees vehicles are not "encampments" under policy & that they can be towed if not registered/legally parked. If attached to a larger non-vehicle encampment slated for closure, closure rules still apply. Regardless, a big change
November 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
One important change in encampment rules: Ca also agrees vehicles are not "encampments" under policy & that they can be towed if not registered/legally parked. If attached to a larger non-vehicle encampment slated for closure, closure rules still apply. Regardless, a big change
Thanks to Council rushing Houston's drafts of Encampment Management Policy as CA warned it could cost Oakland $20 MM in funding, there's now 2 redlined versions of current EMP that must be read side by side to understand the scope of changes from original, to EAP, to amended EAP
November 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Thanks to Council rushing Houston's drafts of Encampment Management Policy as CA warned it could cost Oakland $20 MM in funding, there's now 2 redlined versions of current EMP that must be read side by side to understand the scope of changes from original, to EAP, to amended EAP
Almost a month before City Council's first meeting about the Encampment Abatement Policy, it was already clear to staff at ALCO and Oakland that it would jeopardize a total of over $40 MM in Ca funding between the two jurisdictions. And state officials virtually confirmed it
November 28, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Almost a month before City Council's first meeting about the Encampment Abatement Policy, it was already clear to staff at ALCO and Oakland that it would jeopardize a total of over $40 MM in Ca funding between the two jurisdictions. And state officials virtually confirmed it
A reader pointed out that Empower Oakland's "Policy Lead" is also Waymo's "Policy Development and Research Manager". This organization is a joke that wouldn't stand up to ten seconds of scrutiny if we had a legitimate media environment and not a company town version
November 28, 2025 at 6:25 PM
A reader pointed out that Empower Oakland's "Policy Lead" is also Waymo's "Policy Development and Research Manager". This organization is a joke that wouldn't stand up to ten seconds of scrutiny if we had a legitimate media environment and not a company town version
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
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
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"
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?
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.
An interesting reveal in suit is OPD's habit of bonding w/specific corps & foregoing bidding rules to maintain relationships--as it is now doing with Flock, so to Shotspotter in 2024. Ironically, OPD refused to put gunshot detection out for bid even tho Flock's Raven is cheaper
November 18, 2025 at 3:53 PM
An interesting reveal in suit is OPD's habit of bonding w/specific corps & foregoing bidding rules to maintain relationships--as it is now doing with Flock, so to Shotspotter in 2024. Ironically, OPD refused to put gunshot detection out for bid even tho Flock's Raven is cheaper
Hofer's suit says that the only time OPD followed state law and settlement was during the brief months when OPD shut down its old ALPR system, after admitting it was useless, and before acquiring Flock
November 18, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Hofer's suit says that the only time OPD followed state law and settlement was during the brief months when OPD shut down its old ALPR system, after admitting it was useless, and before acquiring Flock
New: Brian Hofer/Secure Justice files suit to bar OPD from using ALPR. Suit alleges OPD has for years consistently violated local & state ALPR law, & existing settlement, by sharing data w/Fed, failing to monitor/prohibit unauthorized 3rd party use, & violating bidding process
November 18, 2025 at 3:36 PM
New: Brian Hofer/Secure Justice files suit to bar OPD from using ALPR. Suit alleges OPD has for years consistently violated local & state ALPR law, & existing settlement, by sharing data w/Fed, failing to monitor/prohibit unauthorized 3rd party use, & violating bidding process
This is a list of the known jurisdictions that have cancelled Flock after recent revelations about the systems vulnerability to hacking and fed exploitation
November 18, 2025 at 12:33 AM
This is a list of the known jurisdictions that have cancelled Flock after recent revelations about the systems vulnerability to hacking and fed exploitation
A lot of organizations will represent tomorrow at Public Safety. actionnetwork.org/le...
November 17, 2025 at 11:44 PM
A lot of organizations will represent tomorrow at Public Safety. actionnetwork.org/le...
Tomorrow at 10am, APTP and other organizations will hold a rally to oppose OPD's expanded Flock proposal. The rally follows a letter signed by 38 organizations urging Council members and Mayor Lee to say no to Flock, a troubled, but growing, surveillance corporation
November 17, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Tomorrow at 10am, APTP and other organizations will hold a rally to oppose OPD's expanded Flock proposal. The rally follows a letter signed by 38 organizations urging Council members and Mayor Lee to say no to Flock, a troubled, but growing, surveillance corporation