Carbon County is continuing to make security improvements to its buildings.

Sheriff Anthony Harvilla reported that over the past year, officials have completed a number of projects to improve security measures around the courthouse, district judges’ offices and other county facilities.

These improvements include adding security fencing along the rear of the courthouse, refurbishing the security gate at the Broadway entrance of the courthouse and adding new locks.

“The entire perimeter of the courthouse is now contained and under security and camera surveillance,” he said.

Another thing, Harvilla said, the county completed was enhancing security at the district judges’ offices, including installing ballistic panels and glass to some areas where defendants come to negotiate and pay their requirements to the courts.

In addition, deputy sheriffs are also now present at the four district judges’ offices during preliminary hearing days.

Looking forward, Harvilla said his staff, in cooperation with the commissioners, has been busy preparing the security portion of the new Susquehanna Street office building that will be constructed next year.

“Almost everything done in that building will have some security aspect to it,” he said. “Whether it is just entry or vehicle entry, monitoring of the courthouse annex and walls, it all requires a lot of engineering.”

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein added that the security is helping to make sure employees are safe while at work.

He noted that security cameras have also been added to some of the parking lots after license plates were stolen and the future secured parking garage in the Susquehanna building will provide another added level of security on weekends to county-owned vehicles.