A Chinese auction fundraiser to benefit the Palmerton Police Department will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Palmerton Community Ambulance Building.

Any donations of baskets, gift cards or baked goods would be appreciated and can be dropped off at 2 p.m. the day of the event.

The fundraiser was organized by Palmerton United, which member Raberta Hans said is a Facebook group “that really loves our town and supports our police.”

“We’re really just trying to make sure that our police officers have all the equipment that they need,” Hans said. “They did receive some of the holsters and lights that they needed; we knew that they needed updated Tasers.”

Hans and fellow borough resident Ellen Colangelo previously expressed concerns to borough council in August about whether the department has adequate resources at its disposal.

At that time, then Councilman Bill Gallagher told the women the borough is not doing anything with its police, and that they’re here to protect the community.

Colangelo stressed that it’s important that the department has all the equipment and resources it needs to be successful.

Gallagher, who in September was appointed borough mayor, told the women the police department is fully funded and has all the equipment it needs.

Colangelo also asked if Palmerton is too small of a borough to consider having a K-9 unit for its police department.

Gallagher said they haven’t seen a need for that at the present time.

Colangelo also asked whether the police department has pursued ongoing training.

Gallagher said they have, and that residents are being protected.

Hans said that despite council’s stance that the department is fully funded, Palmerton United merely wants to ensure that’s the case.

“Borough council keeps saying they’re fully funded; we just want to make sure they have everything they need, especially in this current environment,” she said. “We want to make sure we’re taking care of the people who are taking care of us.”

Hans said all the funds raised from the Chinese auction will go to the police department.