Rob Poggenklass
@rpogge.bsky.social
Executive Director @justicefwdva.bsky.social. Former public defender, legal aid lawyer and ACLUVA policy fellow. Cville local. Iowan.
https://justiceforwardva.com/
https://justiceforwardva.com/
Pinned
Rob Poggenklass
@rpogge.bsky.social
· Nov 23
Hello! I see I’ve got a few new followers. I run a public defender-led statewide advocacy org, @justicefwdva.bsky.social, doing criminal justice reform at the VA General Assembly. I mostly post about CJR issues, but also my two sweet, feral kids (5 & 2 1/2), and life around Charlottesville.
Yes, a grassroots movement can defeat mass surveillance. @justicefwdva.bsky.social is proud to be part of that movement.
truthout.org/articles/a-v...
truthout.org/articles/a-v...
A Vast Camera System Now Feeds Information to Police on Drivers Across the US
Flock cameras have been called invasive, insecure, and unconstitutional. Can a grassroots movement beat them back?
truthout.org
November 28, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Yes, a grassroots movement can defeat mass surveillance. @justicefwdva.bsky.social is proud to be part of that movement.
truthout.org/articles/a-v...
truthout.org/articles/a-v...
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
Confirmed: Katie Wilson will be mayor of Seattle, ousting the incumbent from his left.
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
Progressives Win in Seattle, Changing Directions on Public Safety - Bolts
Voters ousted a mayor who oversaw a surge in encampment sweeps, and a Republican prosecutor who pursued punitive policies toward homeless people and drug users.
boltsmag.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Confirmed: Katie Wilson will be mayor of Seattle, ousting the incumbent from his left.
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
Got lunch plans Friday? Join the Power Lunch Podcast to chat with our ED @rpogge.bsky.social, Michael Soyfer of IJ, & special guest @equalityalec.bsky.social! Friday’s episode focuses on the rise of mass surveillance and its growing threat to justice—12PM. Register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
November 13, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Got lunch plans Friday? Join the Power Lunch Podcast to chat with our ED @rpogge.bsky.social, Michael Soyfer of IJ, & special guest @equalityalec.bsky.social! Friday’s episode focuses on the rise of mass surveillance and its growing threat to justice—12PM. Register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
The people were fired up for criminal legal reforms at Justice Reform Happy Hour! Many thanks to @parisaforjustice.bsky.social @hopeforvirginia.bsky.social @salimvasenate.bsky.social for joining us! And to advocates and indigent defenders committed to restoring justice to our communities and courts!
November 9, 2025 at 1:18 AM
The people were fired up for criminal legal reforms at Justice Reform Happy Hour! Many thanks to @parisaforjustice.bsky.social @hopeforvirginia.bsky.social @salimvasenate.bsky.social for joining us! And to advocates and indigent defenders committed to restoring justice to our communities and courts!
Imagine getting a 67% funding hike and begging for more
“The budget for Virginia State Police has grown significantly in the past several years. In 2020, the agency received $374 million in general funds. This year, it has budgeted around $557 million.”
richmond.com/news/state-r...
“The budget for Virginia State Police has grown significantly in the past several years. In 2020, the agency received $374 million in general funds. This year, it has budgeted around $557 million.”
richmond.com/news/state-r...
State police superintendent predicts 'lean year' for Virginia’s largest law enforcement agency
Soaring overtime and rising costs will make this year a lean one for Virginia State Police, according to an email sent by the agency’s chief executive.
richmond.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Imagine getting a 67% funding hike and begging for more
“The budget for Virginia State Police has grown significantly in the past several years. In 2020, the agency received $374 million in general funds. This year, it has budgeted around $557 million.”
richmond.com/news/state-r...
“The budget for Virginia State Police has grown significantly in the past several years. In 2020, the agency received $374 million in general funds. This year, it has budgeted around $557 million.”
richmond.com/news/state-r...
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
November 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
Senator Wyden and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi have formally requested that the FTC open an investigation into Flock Safety for unnecessarily exposing billions of instances of civilian's vehicle location data to hackers and foreign adversaires.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
November 3, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Senator Wyden and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi have formally requested that the FTC open an investigation into Flock Safety for unnecessarily exposing billions of instances of civilian's vehicle location data to hackers and foreign adversaires.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
VIRGINIA DEFENSE BAR: Want to tell us about the unjust criminal laws and procedures that harm the people you represent? Join our Indigent Defender Statewide Call on Tuesday, Nov. 4th at 11:00AM to workshop criminal legal reforms together. Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
November 2, 2025 at 5:34 PM
VIRGINIA DEFENSE BAR: Want to tell us about the unjust criminal laws and procedures that harm the people you represent? Join our Indigent Defender Statewide Call on Tuesday, Nov. 4th at 11:00AM to workshop criminal legal reforms together. Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
DEFENDERS: Want to reform the unjust criminal laws and procedures that harm the people you represent? Join the VA Defender Statewide Call Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 11AM to workshop criminal legal reforms. Public defenders & other indigent defenders register here: bit.ly/VaDefenderCall
October 28, 2025 at 1:10 PM
DEFENDERS: Want to reform the unjust criminal laws and procedures that harm the people you represent? Join the VA Defender Statewide Call Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 11AM to workshop criminal legal reforms. Public defenders & other indigent defenders register here: bit.ly/VaDefenderCall
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
“The fact that naloxone is widely available in Virginia and people know how to use it to stop overdoses. The fact that we have fentanyl testing strips. Those types of things are what is actually leading to the decline of fentanyl deaths," @rpogge.bsky.social says. www.wvtf.org/news/2025-10...
Fentanyl, overdoses and this year's elections in Virginia
One of the issues that candidates are talking about on the campaign trail is overdose deaths from fentanyl.
www.wvtf.org
October 25, 2025 at 5:19 PM
“The fact that naloxone is widely available in Virginia and people know how to use it to stop overdoses. The fact that we have fentanyl testing strips. Those types of things are what is actually leading to the decline of fentanyl deaths," @rpogge.bsky.social says. www.wvtf.org/news/2025-10...
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
In two weeks—at about this time—we’ll be deep into a free taco bar, toasting margaritas (hopefully with you) discussing our 2026 CJR priorities! Join us along with Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for Justice Reform Happy Hour—Wednesday, November 5th at 6PM. See you there!
October 22, 2025 at 11:42 PM
In two weeks—at about this time—we’ll be deep into a free taco bar, toasting margaritas (hopefully with you) discussing our 2026 CJR priorities! Join us along with Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for Justice Reform Happy Hour—Wednesday, November 5th at 6PM. See you there!
We oppose mass surveillance because so long as the data exists, people in power will use it to keep that power. They will lie about how they’re using it. And people will suffer.
truthout.org/articles/by-...
truthout.org/articles/by-...
By Enabling Police Surveillance, Elected Officials Fuel Trump’s Agenda
Illinois officials have quietly constructed a statewide surveillance apparatus that fuels ICE’s deportation machine.
truthout.org
October 16, 2025 at 1:47 PM
We oppose mass surveillance because so long as the data exists, people in power will use it to keep that power. They will lie about how they’re using it. And people will suffer.
truthout.org/articles/by-...
truthout.org/articles/by-...
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
It’s hard to explain how bad you have to be acting to get all of these people on the same side.
September 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
It’s hard to explain how bad you have to be acting to get all of these people on the same side.
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
Sentencing guidelines called for 1 day to 6 months of incarceration, yet Shebri Dillon was sentenced to 30 yrs in a Virginia prison! We’ve filed an amicus brief highlighting how old mandatory jury sentencing laws support Shebri’s ineffective counsel claims. 1/4
justiceforwardva.com/blog/2025/9/...
justiceforwardva.com/blog/2025/9/...
September 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Sentencing guidelines called for 1 day to 6 months of incarceration, yet Shebri Dillon was sentenced to 30 yrs in a Virginia prison! We’ve filed an amicus brief highlighting how old mandatory jury sentencing laws support Shebri’s ineffective counsel claims. 1/4
justiceforwardva.com/blog/2025/9/...
justiceforwardva.com/blog/2025/9/...
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. accessed Bridgewater,VA’s surveillance data 6.9MILLION times. “I’m concerned with the degree to which this kind of data could be used to suppress dissent, to suppress freedom of opinion,” said a resident. vcij.org/stories/stat... @whropublicmedia.bsky.social
September 23, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. accessed Bridgewater,VA’s surveillance data 6.9MILLION times. “I’m concerned with the degree to which this kind of data could be used to suppress dissent, to suppress freedom of opinion,” said a resident. vcij.org/stories/stat... @whropublicmedia.bsky.social
When in ten years my kid asks me why we couldn’t save democracy, I’m going to have to tell him who Chuck Schumer was
BREAKING: @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social and I are demanding a meeting with Trump on his decision to shut down the federal government because of the Republican desire to continue to gut the health care of the American people.
September 21, 2025 at 11:56 PM
When in ten years my kid asks me why we couldn’t save democracy, I’m going to have to tell him who Chuck Schumer was
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
The Lookout was finally able to get Richmond City Council President Cynthia Newbille on the record about RPD's use of the AI-powered surveillance tech that ICE loves. As far as I can tell, this is her first comment to press about the city's Flock LPR network, for which it paid nearly $400,000. More:
Despite breaches, Newbille, Avula still back RPD's controversial Flock system
Plus: Ride and Dive 2025 posts record attendance!
www.chlookout.com
September 5, 2025 at 8:57 PM
The Lookout was finally able to get Richmond City Council President Cynthia Newbille on the record about RPD's use of the AI-powered surveillance tech that ICE loves. As far as I can tell, this is her first comment to press about the city's Flock LPR network, for which it paid nearly $400,000. More:
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
Pritzker: "I refuse to pretend that any of this is normal ... I refuse to fall into the pundit trap that demands we sacrifice vital constitutional rights if it's being done in the fake guise of fighting crime."
September 2, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Pritzker: "I refuse to pretend that any of this is normal ... I refuse to fall into the pundit trap that demands we sacrifice vital constitutional rights if it's being done in the fake guise of fighting crime."
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
Polls show most Americans think crime is rising because 'crime' is a catch-all term. But, there are dozens of evidence-based ways to reduce disorder and fight crime, and many of the most effective approaches do not involve the police. open.substack.com/pub/johnkrom...
When people say crime is a big problem, are they really talking about crime?
Sometimes, but not always
open.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Polls show most Americans think crime is rising because 'crime' is a catch-all term. But, there are dozens of evidence-based ways to reduce disorder and fight crime, and many of the most effective approaches do not involve the police. open.substack.com/pub/johnkrom...
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
Join us at the 2025 Virginia Justice Conference in RVA Sept. 11-12! The event hosts a resource fair, expungement clinic, and panels & workshops focused on VA’s 3 constitutional amendments, probation, parole, higher ed in prison, the politics of crime, and more: www.virginiajusticeconference.com
August 25, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Join us at the 2025 Virginia Justice Conference in RVA Sept. 11-12! The event hosts a resource fair, expungement clinic, and panels & workshops focused on VA’s 3 constitutional amendments, probation, parole, higher ed in prison, the politics of crime, and more: www.virginiajusticeconference.com
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
Outside of electoral politics, legislative advocacy, and grassroots activism, what can ordinary citizens do about unjust laws?
Thanks for supporting our t-shirt fundraiser! @joshuaerlich.bsky.social www.bonfire.com/google-34jur...
Thanks for supporting our t-shirt fundraiser! @joshuaerlich.bsky.social www.bonfire.com/google-34jur...
August 14, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Outside of electoral politics, legislative advocacy, and grassroots activism, what can ordinary citizens do about unjust laws?
Thanks for supporting our t-shirt fundraiser! @joshuaerlich.bsky.social www.bonfire.com/google-34jur...
Thanks for supporting our t-shirt fundraiser! @joshuaerlich.bsky.social www.bonfire.com/google-34jur...
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
Crime panic never worries about statistics.
August 11, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Crime panic never worries about statistics.
Reposted by Rob Poggenklass
One thing that didn't make it into today's piece:
Washington, DC already has by far the highest number of law enforcement officers per capita of any city of 250k+.
Washington, DC already has by far the highest number of law enforcement officers per capita of any city of 250k+.
August 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
One thing that didn't make it into today's piece:
Washington, DC already has by far the highest number of law enforcement officers per capita of any city of 250k+.
Washington, DC already has by far the highest number of law enforcement officers per capita of any city of 250k+.
Violent crime in D.C. is at a 30-year low. www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/v...
August 11, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Violent crime in D.C. is at a 30-year low. www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/v...