Harvilla named to state crime commission

Carbon County’s sheriff has been appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf to serve on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Anthony Harvilla was appointed by the governor on Wednesday to serve as one of 48 members of the board, which provides the governor with advice on criminal justice planning efforts and works to reduce the impact of crime on victims, enhance the quality and coordination of the criminal justice system and increase the safety of the community.

“I’m extremely happy,” Harvilla said. “This is going to give us the insight of what is coming down and give us a voice to weigh in on things and how resources are being used throughout the state. Hopefully it will give us more of an opportunity to try some new things.”

The commission is a collaboration of public servants and private citizens representing all aspects of criminal justice and juvenile justice systems.

The Carbon County commissioners on Thursday congratulated Harvilla on the news of his appointment.

“We’re proud,” Commissioner William O’Gurek said. “I don’t think people recognize how greatly his work record reflects the input he has had toward inmates and people on probation and things they had to go through and supervision of them. It’s fitting he was appointed to this board.”

Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard added that Harvilla’s 40-year career in law enforcement will help with this appointment.

Harvilla is a lifelong resident of Carbon County.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and corrections from the Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Marywood College.

He began his law enforcement career in 1977 as the first work-release coordinator at the Carbon County prison.

In 1980, he was appointed as a Carbon County adult probation officer, and five months later was promoted to chief adult probation officer.

In 1989, Harvilla accepted a position with the U.S. Courts as a federal probation officer. He served in that capacity until 2010, when he was promoted to chief U.S. probation officer in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

In 2015, Harvilla was elected as Carbon County’s new sheriff after then Sheriff Dwight Nothstein retired, and sworn in to office in 2016.

He is married and has two daughters.