By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
COVINGTON – The Covington Police Department has joined a growing movement among law enforcement by placing the decal “In God We Trust” on its police cars.
Police Chief Tim Lentz, a member at First Baptist Church in Covington, announced Feb. 17 via the department’s Facebook page he would begin placing them on the vehicles at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 18. Business owners, elected officials and others in the community joined in the effort to help place the stickers on the cars.
The idea came to Lentz while praying in a worship service at First Covington last week. He recalled how other law enforcement departments around the country, including some in Louisiana, were placing on their vehicles the decal proclaiming the national motto. After talking with numerous Christian leaders and officers, Lentz received confirmation about going through with his idea.
“If other cities were doing this, I thought why not here,” Lentz said. “We are a faithful community and a faithful law enforcement agency. We’re not shy about our Christianity.
“It’s time we get back to our values and traditions,” he continued. “This hopefully will be the start of a movement here in Covington to do just that.”
No public funds have been used to purchase the decals Lentz said. He intended to pay for the decals himself but when the company [Docucenter] in Covington heard about his intentions they decided to donate them to the department.
Covington Police Chief Tim Lentz helps some teenagers place “In God We Trust” decals on one of the city’s police vehicles. Photo courtesy of Covington Police Department
Jay Johnston, associate pastor at First Covington, said he is thankful Lentz made this decision.
“Chief Lentz has moved to do something he believes in, and that is God is our ultimate protector,” Johnston said. “He has served this community as a St. Tammany deputy and now as chief of the Covington Police Department. He has participated in community prayer services and for him to acknowledge his trust in God is not a surprise. I am thankful for him and for all our police officers and firemen.”
The move by Lentz comes a month after the city council in Lake Charles unanimously approved placement of “In God We Trust” decals on 200 city vehicles including those from the police, fire and public works departments.
According to KPLC-TV in Lake Charles, Councilman Rodney Geye said the decals will help civilians develop more trust in local law enforcement. Funding came only from donations, not from the taxpayers.
Other municipalities in Louisiana have implemented similar campaigns to place decals on city-owned vehicles including DeQunicy, Iowa, Sulphur, Vinton and Westlake. Since 1956, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law, the phrase “In God We Trust” has been the national motto.
Lentz realizes he may face legal challenges from certain groups, but he stands firm in his decision.
“I knew when I did this I would have my critics,” Lentz said. “But I realized a long time ago you couldn’t please everybody. Anyone who disagrees with me, I want to assure them if they call us for a need, we will respond to them in the field just as we would a preacher or anybody else in the community.”
