Hurlock, Maryland police are sending a message with new decals on the town’s public safety vehicles: In God We Trust.

Town officials opted to join a growing number of municipalities that have approved the nation’s motto for display on official vehicles, and the decals were installed July 3, according to SBY News.

The Hurlock Police Department posted an image of the new decals on Facebook, and it sparked dozens of comments from both supporters and opponents, which prompted the town’s public officials to weigh in on the debate.

“I would love to see this on all police cars. Way to go Hurlock Police Department,” Sharon Hughes wrote in the comments to the police Facebook post.

“Thank you for your shining example,” Angela Gray added. “Please challenge other towns/cities to follow your lead. Trusting God has … too long been left out of the public eye and hearts.”

“Promoting one religion above all others? What does this mean for citizens that have a conflicting decal displayed on their vehicle? Will they be treated fairly as an atheist, or believer in another faith?” Terri Day questioned. “This is divisive and unnecessary.”

“You’re putting unbelievers on notice that they don’t belong in Hurlock, and that the agents of state-sponsored violence regard them as unequal and unwelcome,” Scott McKellar wrote. “Whatever message you may think you’re sending, the message received will be one of bigotry and intimidation.”

Despite some opposition, the vast majority of Facebook comments supported the move.

The Dorchester Banner reports Hurlock Mayor Joyce Spratt introduced the idea of adding the In God We Trust decals to the town’s public safety vehicles after witnessing a trend on Facebook of law enforcement agencies in Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas and other states doing the same.

The national motto, made official by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, has also been displayed on U.S. currency since 1964, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Spratt told the Banner that no public funds were used to purchase the decals, which she hopes to expand to ambulances, fire trucks, and other public works vehicles. The decal is already on Spratt’s vehicle, WBOC reports.

The news site contends that every local contacted was in favor of installing the decals.

“I thought it was an awesome idea because where our country is now we need all the help we can get,” Spratt said. “It’s a strong statement that we want Hurlock to make.”

The mayor said she’s not concerned about offending the sensibilities of some who might oppose.

“When I was first elected they told me if I started our town meetings with a prayer I’d go to jail. I said ‘bring it on’ and I haven’t gone to jail yet,” Spratt said. “I can’t believe somebody’s going to be offended by this.”

Hurlock Police Chief Les Hutton described the decals as a “wonderful idea.”

If the motto is printed on U.S. currency, then “why can’t we be proud of it?” he questioned.

“It’s patriotic and a tenet of our founding fathers. Look at your dollar bill; or any federal building,” Hutton said. “The founding fathers had no problem using it so why should we? Look at this great country that they created based on that. We’re just going back to our roots.”

Hutton also dismissed complaints about the stickers because “you can put anything out there and somebody will try to be offended by it.”