Ramapo police are asking for assistance from the public as they investigate a vicious knife attack against a man as he was unloading his car in his driveway Thursday evening.

Investigators spent much of Friday canvassing the area around the stabbing victim's Trailside Place home on the edge of Ramapo.

Police and other sources have told News 12 a 32-year-old local businessman had arrived home just before 8:30 p.m.and began removing items from his SUV when he was suddenly attacked.

The man was stabbed several times.

He was brought to the hospital and is expected to survive, police said.

"[he was] just taking out some bags, and turned around and somebody stands over you and stabs you," Yossi Gestetner, of the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council, told reporters at the scene Friday morning. "It's absolutely a scary and dangerous situation."

Gestetner, an advocate for Rockland County's Orthodox Jewish community, said he has not learned anything yet about the attacker's motive and/or whether it was an act of hate.

His main message to his community Friday was that no one – even those living in quiet, wooded places – can be "completely safe" from violent crime.

"Law enforcement moves quickly in case something happens. That gives a certain sense of security," he said, "but on the other hand, it's a sad reality that there is no perfect protection against crime."

Police said in a press release they detained a "possible suspect," questioned him, and then released him pending further investigation.

They added that the person has been cooperating with investigators.

Ramapo police said that in the meantime, they are increasing patrols throughout the town.

Anyone with information on the stabbing is urged to contact the police at 845-357-2400.