Kevin Jones, a former KPIX reporter, has successfully obtained a restraining order against Omar Ward, a San Francisco man who is better known online as ‘jj smith.’
Ward has gained notoriety for posting videos that highlight the struggles of individuals living on the streets and those facing addiction.
This legal action comes in the wake of a troubling incident that occurred in March in Oakland, where Ward filmed Jones leaning against his minivan while scrolling through his phone. Ward later shared the footage online, stating he felt like ‘having a little fun’ that day.
Following this event, Jones’s minivan had its tires slashed, and a burned sock was discovered in the gas valve. While Ward denied involvement in these acts of vandalism, he did admit to leaving a handwritten note on Jones’ dashboard that night.
Judge Maria Morga of the Oakland court found Ward’s note unsettling, labeling it as ‘creepy.’ As a result, she ruled that Ward must maintain a distance of at least 50 yards from Jones for a period of two years.
Reflecting on the ruling, Jones expressed relief, stating, ‘I feel a lot better. I feel like I don’t have to be as protective of myself. It feels like a weight is off my shoulders.’ He characterized Ward as a ‘serial harasser’ due to his intimidating online presence and confrontational interactions with those he disagrees with.
In addition to his controversial activities on social media, Ward has received backing from several conservative figures, including Garry Tan, the CEO of Y Combinator. Tan publicly praised Ward for ‘doing God’s work,’ even donating $1,000 to assist with Ward’s hospital bills. Ward has frequently appeared on Fox News to provide commentary regarding homelessness and drug issues in San Francisco.
The conflict between Ward and Jones intensified as Jones, along with other progressives, frequently engaged in online disputes with Ward over topics like policing policy and drug enforcement. However, the tension escalated when Ward recorded Jones in public.
Notably, Jones is the second individual to file a restraining order against Ward this year and the first to have it granted successfully.
After the court proceedings, Ward took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his defiance, suggesting he was unwilling to comply with the judge’s order. His post read, ‘Can you believe I was just told in court by a judge I broke the law by filming someone in public? I never listen to a judge growing up… I’m not gonna listen to a judge now.’
When reached by phone for a comment about the situation, Ward simply stated, ‘Enjoy your day, please, bye bye.’
As part of the restraining order, Ward has been instructed not to engage in any form of harassment, intimidation, threats, or destruction of property pertaining to Jones and his family over the next two years.
Jones expressed hope that the Oakland Police Department would consider pressing criminal charges related to the alleged March incident, although he indicated he had not received any updates. In a concurrent statement, the police confirmed they were investigating a vandalism incident that occurred on March 1, 2025, on Telegraph Avenue.
Ward has consistently denied involvement in the vandalism of Jones’ vehicle and claimed to have captured footage of the actual perpetrator. Despite his insistence on possessing incriminating evidence, Ward has refrained from sharing the video.
In a subsequent conversation with Mission Local, Ward also mentioned plans to file a defamation lawsuit against Jones regarding the accusations made against him.
image source from：missionlocal
