Funds raised through a Chinese auction today in Palmerton will eventually go toward equipment upgrades for the borough police department.

Resident Ellen Colangelo said at Thursday’s borough council meeting that the Chinese auction fundraiser to benefit the borough police department will be held from 3-7 today at the Palmerton Community Ambulance Building.

Colangelo told council that the intent of the event is to help purchase equipment that the police department may need.

She asked council if it had any suggestions as to how that money should be applied.

Councilman Andrew Hollywood said he believes the department’s computer systems are really behind.

Borough manager Donna McGarry told Colangelo that Tasers are a big item that needs to be replaced.

McGarry noted that the plan is to file an LSA grant so every officer would have a Taser.

She said they are also getting information for bodycams and readers for the cars.

“The Tasers are the most important (at this point),” McGarry said.

Colangelo added, “Hopefully we’ll have a good turnout for the Chinese auction.”

Councilwoman Holly Hausman Sell thanked those responsible for the event for supporting the borough’s police department.

Mayor Bill Gallagher also expressed his appreciation to Palmerton United for their help with the police department.

“Certainly appreciate what you folks are doing,” Gallagher said, adding that the group is a credit to the community.

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

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.”

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

At that time, Gallagher, who was a councilman, 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.

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

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