'People aren't happy': Walpole street notified of sex offender's return

WALPOLE, Mass. — Residents in Walpole are furious after a Level Three sex offender just released from prison moved back into their neighborhood

"I’m outraged. I feel like his rights have superseded the rights of people who live in this neighborhood," said Linda Keefe.

Officers handed out flyers Monday to warn people on Chapman Street, where Darren Grant is currently living. Police also notified the high school, which was the target of the lewd behavior that sent Grant, now 43, to prison.

When police knocked on doors Monday night, it was a warning that Grant was once again living just a few doors away.

Grant, who was convicted in 2017, has a long list of sex crimes -- including 19 convictions for open and gross lewdness since 1991. Police say he followed a school bus full of teen girls from the Norfolk County Agricultural School at the end of his street and exposed himself.

"How many times? Everyone can make a mistake. He’s made an awful lot of them," said Keefe.

"We have young girls on this street -- his prime targets -- who live on this street, some live right next door to him," a neighbor told Boston 25 News.

Related: Police: Concrete thrown at sex offender's home

One neighbor who asked not to be identified, said residents feel powerless after they were assured they wouldn’t see Grant again when he was last arrested.

"I know neighbors who have children and some of them were crying last night, they were really upset," she said. "They are very concerned for their children."

Walpole Police Chief John Carmichael told Boston 25 News they’ll be monitoring Grant’s location, but legally, there are limits on their power.

"We got a few complaints. People aren’t happy about it," Carmichael said. "There’s nothing you can do, he’s done his time and he’s coming back to go to a neighborhood."

The Chief did stress that he understands the concerns, as Level Three sex offenders are the most likely to reoffend.

"We track their locations, where they are living," Carmichael said.

Meanwhile, Keefe says, it doesn't matter how much time he served behind bars. She doesn't want to live her life constantly looking over her and her grandson's shoulders.

"I would never let him without me right there," Keefe said. "The boundaries are, you stay within my eyesight at all times."

We did try to reach Grant for comment, but were not able to make contact with him.

MORE: Police: Sex offender followed bus of high school girls, exposed himself

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