Gov. Shapiro Addresses Arsonist's Family Seeking Help and Governor's Residence Safety

Handling Mental Health Calls

• ❓ Governor Shapiro was asked about a report that the family of alleged arsonist Cody Balmer sought help for him prior to the incident.
• ⚠️ Police confirmed that Balmer did not meet the threshold for intervention, prompting questions about changes needed in handling mental health calls.
• 🗣️ Shapiro stated he was not aware of the specifics regarding Balmer's case, deferring detailed questions to prosecutors.

Governor's Residence Safety and Accessibility

• 🏠 Shapiro emphasized the critical importance of the Governor's Residence remaining a comfortable and safe place for his family, staff, and visitors.
• 🎉 He affirmed the intention to continue hosting public events such as Halloween and Christmas celebrations, as well as a quarterly lecture series.
• 🤝 The Governor also plans to continue welcoming lawmakers and guests, aiming to reopen the residence quickly.
• 🛠️ Secretary McNeel is actively working on the cleanup and repairs, with updates on the timeline to be provided by his office.
• 💬 The goal is to ensure the building quickly returns to being a comfortable gathering place for people from all walks of life.