MCDONALD, Pa. — The McDonald mayor and the police chief had the basketball hoops removed from Heritage Park after the mayor said there was too much vulgar language.
Mayor Terry Bennett says they were getting complaints from people and businesses nearby.
Last week he approached young adults playing on the court. What he didn't know was one of them, Dennis Brown, was recording the confrontation that led to the decision to close the courts.
"You're supposed to act like a decent, white kid," is what Bennett can be heard saying to Brown.
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"I didn't know how to take it, 'cause I didn't think I was acting any other way," Brown said.
Channel 11 took the video straight to Bennett and asked if he said that.
"I think it was me," Bennett said. "Kids were acting up."
Brown admits they were cursing, but they don't do it while young children are around.
Neighbors who live behind the court told Channel 11 off-camera they've never heard any problems with cursing.
Other people who live there say the mayor's actions went too far.
"If it keeps them out of trouble, a little foul language didn't hurt nobody, didn't kill nobody," Alas Homan said.
"We're all grown men when on the court, no kids around when it does happen," Juwan Matthews added.
Bennett did admit he shouldn't have used that wording, but stands by his decision.
"It's a public park, but there are still rules about smoking and language."
The mayor also said it's up to the kids who use the park every day to determine whether or not the basketball hoops will go back up.
He says he's not opposed to it, but says the behavior has to change.
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