A local community is outraged after a convicted sex offender registered a popular public park as his home.
Steven Sherlock, 30, was convicted of sexually assaulting an underage girl back in 2003. Sherlock is required to register his address under Megan’s Law. According to the Megan’s Law website, he is listed as a homeless person with Naylor’s Run Park on Garrett Road in Upper Darby listed as his address. Naylor’s Run is a community park filled with children and families.
“To have a violent, sexual predator say that he lives here is beyond belief,” said Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood. “It’s absolutely ludicrous and insane.”
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Chitwood tells NBC10 his department found out about Sherlock’s address on Thursday from the State Police.
“This guy is a danger,” said Chitwood. “The state itself says he is likely to re-offend in a violent nature. The state itself. I didn’t say it. It’s their words.”
An order from the Pennsylvania commonwealth states the following:
The Commonwealth has established by clear and convincing evidence that Defendant suffers from a mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes him likely to engage in predatory sexual offenses; therefore; it is hereby ORDERED AND DECREED that Defendant is determined to be a Sexually Violent Predator.
“A lot of kids do come here in the morning,” said Jeff Ta of Upper Darby. “So it’s just surprising.”
The park closes at dark. Chitwood tells NBC10 if Sherlock is found there after hours, he will be arrested. Police have searched the area but have not found him, according to investigators.
“He’s allegedly here in a wooded area,” said Chitwood. “What happens if he grabs a kid and takes him up here in these wooded areas?”
Upper Darby Township Police tell NBC10 they’ve notified local schools and daycare centers. They also handed out and posted hundreds of fliers with Sherlock’s picture on it.
“I hope if they see this guy even if he’s here, they dial 911 and call us so we can go and check him out,” said Chitwood.
Some residents who normally go to the park say they’re not going to take any chances.
“I guess we will choose another park,” said one resident. “There are so many other parks.”
“It’s really scary,” said another resident. “I mean I have two younger sisters and I don’t think I want them to be here, playing in this park.”
State Police Lieutenant Todd Harman tells NBC10 there is no state law prohibiting where a sexually violent predator can live, unless there are specific local ordinances stating so. He also says a new, stricter state law passed in February which now requires homeless sexual predators to verify their address with the state police every 30 days.
