Visitors to the Carbon County Courthouse Annex should expect increased security measures in the near future, something that the county commissioners say is long overdue.

The commissioners and Sheriff Tony Harvilla say they're working on a plan where the public will enter the annex through a single entrance with a posted security guard."What we're trying to do is make all of the county buildings secure and safe. Up until this point there was no security coming into the county annex," Harvilla said.The courthouse annex is home to county departments including tax assessment, human resources, veteran affairs and the recorder of deeds.Harvilla said that similar steps have already been taken at the Carbon County Courthouse.The new procedures are expected to be in place in a few weeks. Visitors to the courthouse will be required to go through a metal detector screening before entering the building.In addition to the metal detector, the county has also installed a Plexiglass window at the annex reception desk, and a new door that will allow employees to access the building by entering a code.The commissioners are applying for a grant from the Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool to help fund the improvements.Once the new setup is completed, Commissioner William O'Gurek said, employees will only be able to enter through two code-activated doors, or the public entrance."In the event they don't have their photo ID, they're coming through the magnetometer. It doesn't matter if they've been working here 50 years, you're going to come through," he said.Harvilla said that visitors to the annex, courthouse, and 76 Susquehanna St. will notice new security cameras and ballistic wall panels.The commissioners said they understand the new procedures may inconvenience visitors and employees, but they are more concerned with safety."It's a little inconvenience, but I hope people realize it's in the best interest of safety and security."