CHINA GROVE, N.C. -- It's not the motto 'In God We Trust' that's sparking controversy across the Carolinas, but where it's popping up. The China Grove Police Department chose to put those words on their police cars.
For months now, the saying, 'In God We Trust' has been in the China Grove Chamber of Commerce, but when that motto was plastered on a China Grove police car, it triggered an age-old debate.
"Religion and state aren't the same thing," said Cameron Chotiner.
"Some people are going to be fine with it-- Christians fine with it. People that may not believe in Christ may not like it," said Derrick Harrington.
CGPD broke the news on their Facebook. Within hours the photo of the patrol car with the decal on it went viral.
"My phone did not stop ringing. My texts didn't stop, emails didn't stop," said Lee Withers, Mayor of China Grove.
We spoke to the China Grove police officer who's behind the wheel of that patrol car that went viral on Facebook.
"In today's times where we're being persecuted for what we do, people don't trust us as much as they once did, we need someone to have our back," said the officer.
Patrol cars aren't the only vehicles with the decal 'In God We Trust,' it's also on the China Grove fire trucks.
"It's our nation's motto," said Dustin Baker. "I'm very proud to have it on our trucks. Me and my partner did it ourselves."
Baker, who's been with the department for nearly a decade, says he's never been prouder to ride around in his truck. But he was surprised to hear the backlash.
"It's the nation's motto so what actually is there to complain about?" said Baker.
"We're a very patriotic community here," said Withers. "We fly the American flag, say the pledge of allegiance before every meeting, and now we display the official U.S. motto inside our Chambers and on our city vehicles."
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