Berks-Lehigh Police Commission Hopes For April Liquidation

The Berks-Lehigh Regional Police Commission, having voted to retain the services of an auctioneer, is hopeful than an auction to liquidate its remaining assets will take place in April.

The Berks-Lehigh Police Department disbanded at the end of last year when Upper Macungie Township ventured on its own to form a township police department.

Commissioner Sam Ashmar stated in an e-mail to Patch that the commission anticipates meeting and discussing any contract proposals from auctioneers at its next scheduled meeting.

The auctioneer, once hired, will place a value on remaining items including weapons, vehicles and other police-related equipment.

The Berks-Lehigh Police Commission voted unanimously to dissolve the regional police department as of Dec. 31, after Upper Macungie supervisors voted to leave the Berks-Lehigh force and create its own as of Jan. 1. 

One of the biggest points of contention had been that Upper Macungie paid the lion's share of cost for the regional police force but only got a 25 percent voting interest.