Despite Justin Trudeau's insistence the Freedom Convoy is just a “fringe” movement, the convoy has bollixed up downtown Ottawa for going on five days, and the police do not know what to do.

While many residents have been calling for an end to the noise and disruption caused by raucous demonstrations, observers are calling on authorities to avoid public displays of force.

"It's in everyone's best interest that they bring this to some type of peaceful closure," said Jack Rozdilsky, an associate professor of disaster and emergency management at York University.

It is also important to note that, thus far no riots or deaths have been reported.

Trudeau could probably have ended the Ottawa occupation had he agreed to meet the truckers. This is being prolonged more by Trudeau's disappearing act than by the truckers intransigence.