SARASOTA, Fla. ( WWSB ) - A threat allegedly made because of noise from people playing basketball at a Sarasota park has prompted a police investigation and the city temporarily removing the hoop.

Citizens were planning to be at the park Thursday night to support Mary Dean Park at 15th Street and Central Avenue, which has been a neighborhood fixture for decades.

In a statement released Thursday, the City of Sarasota said it was made aware of a threat over noise against people playing at the park.

The city removed the hoop from the backboard Wednesday afternoon. “Out of an abundance of caution and out of concern for the safety of the community, the basketball hoop was temporarily removed to avoid further escalating the situation,” the statement said.

By 4 p.m. Thursday, the hoop was b

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