Pennsylvania Governor, Neighbors File Competing Lawsuits Over Security Fence

Dispute centers on use of neighbors' yard for new fence around governor's home

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his neighbors, Jeremy and Simone Mock, have filed competing lawsuits against each other over the construction of an 8-foot security fence around the governor's home. The Mocks have accused the governor and his wife of illegally occupying part of their Abington yard to build the fence, while the Shapiros have filed a countersuit asking a judge to rule that the land is on their property.

Why it matters

The legal dispute highlights the challenges public officials face in balancing security needs with property rights, as well as the potential for taxpayer funds to be used for such measures. The outcome could set a precedent for how governors and other high-profile officials handle security at their private residences.

The details

In a federal lawsuit, the Mocks allege that the governor and his wife have illegally occupied part of their Abington yard to construct an 8-foot security fence. Millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent on security efforts at the governor's homes after his Harrisburg residence was firebombed last April. The Shapiros have filed a countersuit, asking a judge to rule that the land in question is on their property.

  • The Mocks filed their federal lawsuit in February 2026.
  • The Shapiros filed their countersuit shortly after the Mocks' lawsuit.

The players

Josh Shapiro

The current Governor of Pennsylvania.

Jeremy and Simone Mock

Neighbors of Governor Shapiro in Abington, Pennsylvania who have filed a lawsuit against the governor over the construction of a security fence.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will need to rule on whether the land in question belongs to the Shapiros or the Mocks, which will determine the legality of the security fence construction.

The takeaway

This legal dispute highlights the delicate balance between public officials' security needs and private property rights, as well as the potential for taxpayer funds to be used for such measures. The outcome could set an important precedent for how governors and other high-profile officials handle security at their private residences.