The recent attack on Governor Josh Shapiro and his family at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion is deeply troubling. Allegedly, it was committed by a lone disturbed individual. However, it should not be misinterpreted. This event is not an indictment of rising crime, nor is it a justification to expand punitive systems. It is a stark reminder. We urgently need to address the escalating mental health and opioid crises. These crises continue to destabilize individuals, communities, and the very institutions we rely on for democracy and order.
Premature responses lead to flawed solutions. In the wake of trauma, it is easy to reach for increased policing or tougher laws. But these responses do not treat the underlying illness. This is especially true when the assailant may have been experiencing severe psychological distress or battling substance addiction. What we need is not more handcuffs, but more care:
Expanded access to behavioral health services
Trauma-informed outreach in high-risk communities
Robust substance use disorder treatment programs
Crisis response that centers healing, not punishment
We have observed similar dynamics before. The January 6th Capitol attack was not just a political insurrection. It was also the culmination of emotional manipulation and psychological vulnerability. It involved unchecked mental instability among both followers and those who incited them. We must be honest. It’s time to ask hard questions about the mental fitness of public leaders. We should examine the mental fragility of a population manipulated by fear and misinformation.
Criminalizing people in crisis only worsens the crisis. When those struggling with mental health or addiction act out in tragic ways, they should get treatment. They should not be thrown into the criminal justice system without support. This is not a solution. It’s merely a delay. A delay that often ends in recidivism, deterioration, or worse. We must shift to a public health and social services model. Safety is achieved not only through security. It is also achieved through prevention and support.
Nonetheless, this incident also raises serious concerns about security infrastructure. How a lone assailant inflict such disruption at the residence of a sitting governor? If this individual had greater intent or resources, the results have been catastrophic. This reveals a sobering vulnerability in how we protect not only officials but democratic stability itself.
To truly protect the public, we must protect the mental health of the public. This is not about being soft on crime; it is about being smart on crisis. The future of our democracy depends on our ability to look beyond punishment. We need to focus on prevention, compassion, and systemic reform.
This will be available on The Neoliberal Round Podcast and YouTube Channel.
Mental Health Crisis, Not Crime Wave: Rethinking the Attack on Gov. Shapiro By Rev. Renaldo McKenzie
The Neoliberal Corporation is a think tank, news commentary, social media, and publisher that is serving the world today to solve tomorrow's challenges. This profile is administered by Rev. Renaldo McKenzie is the President and Founder of The Neoliberal Corporation.
