DATELINE: HAVEN, Kan. (KWCH) – On May 2, the Haven City Council took action that did not set well with some residents. The council unanimously voted to remove all “In God We Trust” decals from the back of the city’s police cars. The city’s attorney said the decision came out of an attempt to separate church and state, but several voiced their opinions against the change after the decision was made.
Monday night, May 16, in a 3-2 vote, the council voted to reverse the decisionfollowing pressure from those who argued the decals should never have been removed. Even though Monday night’s vote passed 3-2, those three “yeah” votes were hesitant ones. The three council members who decided the decals could remain on Haven Police Department cars said by allowing this, they must allow similar speech from other religions, or lack thereof on police vehicles. One council member said if something is added that the public doesn’t like or agree with, he doesn’t want to hear complaints.
The vote wasn’t originally on the agenda for the May 16 meeting, but a packed house full of people supporting the allowance of the “In God We Trust” decals motivated the council to revisit the issue. Seven people spoke during the public comment segment of the meeting. All but one supported the change.
The Mayor said he received over 100 emails on the matter. Only 2 wanted to keep the decals off of the police vehicles, and they were both out of towners.
This is an update on a discussion dated 5-9.
Haven Kansas Votes to Remove ‘In God We Trust’ From Police Vehicles
