Pennsylvania Attorney General Approves $1.1M for Shapiro Home Security
Attorney General Dave Sunday approved $1.1 million in state funding for security upgrades at Gov. Shapiro’s home following the April 2025 arson attack.
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA — State Attorney General Dave Sunday approved a settlement agreement to pay contractors $1.1 million for security improvements installed at Governor Josh Shapiro’s private Albington residence, while emphasizing the action would not set precedent for future transactions.
Sunday’s office called on lawmakers to update state laws to better address modern threats against public officials. The attorney general stressed the settlement was a one-time action that would not serve as a precedent for similar transactions in the future.
Security Upgrades Follow Arson Attack
The security improvements were recommended by the Pennsylvania State Police following an arson attack on the official Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg in April 2025. Cody Balmer of Harrisburg snuck into the residence and set off molotov cocktails while Shapiro and his family slept inside during the Jewish Passover holiday.
Balmer, who pleaded guilty to multiple felonies, told authorities he would have killed Shapiro had he come across him during the attack. The incident forced the governor’s family to relocate while the official residence underwent significant repairs.
Emergency Construction Authorization
Work on Shapiro’s Montgomery County home began after the attack under an emergency construction provision in state code. Acting State Police Commissioner Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens told lawmakers in February that speed was necessary because Shapiro’s family had to move their full-time residence while the Governor’s Residence underwent repairs.
The security upgrades were installed at the governor’s private home to ensure his family’s safety during the extended displacement from the official residence. State police determined the improvements were essential given the severity of the April 2025 attack.
Legal and Political Implications
The settlement approval comes amid ongoing scrutiny of security expenditures for state officials. Sunday’s office emphasized that while this particular case warranted state funding due to the extraordinary circumstances, it should not be viewed as establishing a standard practice.
The attorney general’s call for updated legislation reflects the evolving nature of security threats facing elected officials. Current state laws were written before many modern security challenges emerged, according to officials familiar with the matter.
The $1.1 million settlement resolves outstanding payments to contractors who completed the emergency security work at the Montgomery County residence. The improvements were deemed necessary by state security experts following their assessment of threats to the governor and his family.
