When 66-year-old Ted Nagy heard about the recent stabbing of a 66-year-old Toronto man at Rosberg Park in Niagara Falls, he wasn’t surprised. Nagy, a retired plumber who has lived in the area for the last five and a half years, believes that incidents like these have become all too predictable.
“I was just waiting for something like that to happen,” Nagy said. “When I first moved here, it was so nice. You could walk around, wave to people, and enjoy the surroundings. Now, no way. You don’t go out at night.”
According to Nagy, after dark, the park and nearby streets become a dangerous place. He noted that people often carry weapons like box cutters, knives, and even machetes. “Everybody around here has some sort of protection. You betcha I have something. I carry a baseball bat. You can’t let them push you around,” he added.
Eleanor Legere, another Niagara Falls resident, echoed Nagy’s sentiments. She was walking her dog along Queen Street on a cool, overcast Saturday afternoon and admitted she wasn’t surprised by the recent stabbing either. “The only time I feel safe is when I’m at home with the door closed,” Legere said. “Around here, you just don’t know. It’s hit and miss.”
The stabbing occurred on Thursday evening around 8:45 p.m. when Niagara Emergency Medical Service paramedics responded to the scene. The 66-year-old victim, who was sitting on a park bench, was stabbed multiple times by an unknown assailant. He was rushed to a trauma center for life-threatening injuries and remains in stable condition after undergoing surgery.
Police quickly launched an investigation, finding the suspect fleeing the scene on foot. Officers later located and arrested the suspect on St. Clair Avenue near Queen Street. The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, also had outstanding warrants for failing to comply with probation and release orders.
Nagy, who was feeding pigeons at the park when discussing the incident, noted that there is an increased sense of fear among local residents. “You don’t see people outside anymore,” he said. “When you talk to them, they’re all scared to come out.”
He also mentioned the frequent encounters with people asking for money or a cigarette lighter, which often lead to trouble. “Once they start a conversation, there’s usually a problem,” he said, noting that police presence in the area is minimal. “They might cruise around during the day, then leave.”
A visit to the area on Saturday saw a Niagara Region Police vehicle parked near Rosberg Family Park. Most businesses in the area were closed, including Nearly New Thrift Store, a Big Brothers Big Sisters location, whose representative declined to comment on the stabbing incident.
Additionally, Legere brought up a recent fire at the nearby Empire Building, which occurred on the evening of January 2. The fire caused significant damage, leaving behind only a derelict brick structure at the corner of Park Street and Erie Avenue. The area also features a GO Transit bus terminal, where passengers disembark from buses.
As residents like Nagy and Legere reflect on the changing atmosphere in their community, the stabbing serves as a stark reminder of the growing concerns over safety in the area.
