Suspected 'Noose' In Rohnert Park Was Rope Swing: Police

ROHNERT PARK, CA — UPDATE: Rohnert Park police now say that a rope found hanging from a tree branch Thursday in the 900 block of Civic Center Drive was not a noose but a swing for children.

"Officers were able to contact property management company for the condos where the rope was found," the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said in an updated Nixle alert.

"They confirmed that the rope has been in the trees since before Covid-19, it was placed there for the kids to use as a swing. The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety would like to thank the community members that brought this to our attention."

ORIGINAL STORY: Police are seeking witnesses as they work to determine who may be responsible for hanging a rope with a noose from a tree branch Thursday in Rohnert Park, the city's police chief said in a message to the community.

The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety received a message at 11:30 a.m. Thursday about a report of a noose in a tree in the 900 block of Civic Center Drive, police Chief Tim Mattos said.

Officers found a rope with a loop at the end, hanging from a tree branch, Mattos said. It was removed by officers as they tried to figure out why it was put there and by whom, he said.

Thursday evening, the chief sent a message to the community to say the situation was under investigation.

"The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety does not tolerate hate crimes, threats, or disparate treatment of anyone," Mattos said. "As your Public Safety Chief, I will do everything possible to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all who live, work, and visit our community."

Anyone with information about the incident should call Rohnert Park police at 707-584-2600 or text the words TIP RPDPS to 888777, followed by a text message with the tip information.

Earlier Thursday morning, a fake body with a rope around its neck and torso was found hanging from a tree near Lake Merritt in Oakland.

A day earlier, five ropes were found hanging from various trees around Lake Merritt. Oakland police said both cases in the last two days are being investigated as hate crimes.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.