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Stamford Man Says Scalzi Park Is Safe Day After Knife Attack There

STAMFORD, Conn. — The day after a frightening attack in which a man swung a knife at a 24-year-old woman leaving Scalzi Park, a man who was out walking his dog said he feels safe in the Stamford park. 

The pedestrian bridge at Scalzi Park where a man swung a knife at a 24-year-old woman Tuesday evening in a random attack. She was uninjured and he was arrested.

The pedestrian bridge at Scalzi Park where a man swung a knife at a 24-year-old woman Tuesday evening in a random attack. She was uninjured and he was arrested.

Photo Credit: Frank MacEachern
Ludwin D. Grijalba

Ludwin D. Grijalba

Photo Credit: Stamford Police Department

During a windy noontime walk at Scalzi Park, Ian Lazarus of Stamford said he has no fear walking in the popular park near downtown.

"I feel safe around here. When you walk with a dog, no one messes with you," he said with a laugh as he strained to hold his dog, Truffles, a female yellow Lab that kept pulling Lazarus to keep walking.

Scalzi, a popular site in downtown Stamford for sports and recreation as well as for families looking for open space for kids, was nearly deserted around noontime Wednesday — a frigid and blustery day. 

Related story: Woman escapes injury after man swings a knife at popular Stamford park.

There were a couple of people parked in cars, one hardy runner battling the high winds and cold, and Lazarus and an out-of-state friend who declined to be identified walking dogs.

Lazarus said he has seen a couple of fights around the basketball courts, but other than that he has never experienced a problem at Scalzi Park. He also noted that he often sees Stamford Police patrolling in and around the park.

"They do a good job about that," he said before resuming his walk with Truffles.

On Tuesday around 6:30 p.m., a 24-year-old woman was walking with her mother, her two younger siblings and a young cousin at the park. They were crossing the pedestrian bridge that connects the park to Washington Boulevard to exit. 

A man who had glared at her as he walk past her on the bridge swung a knife at her as she was about to exit the bridge, police said. He missed and went across the street where he was arrested at gunpoint by police a few minutes later.

Ludwin D. Grijalba, 33, of 554 E. Main St., was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, carrying a dangerous weapon, attempt to commit second-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace in the incident.

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