Ottawa Police Announce ‘Surge and Contain’ Strategy to ‘Restore Order’ at Trucker Protest

Ottawa police have announced they will be implementing a “surge and contain strategy” ahead of a predicted rise of protestors supporting the anti-vaccine mandate and anti-coronavirus restriction Freedom Convoy of truckers this weekend.

The Ottawa police service made their statement in a Twitter thread on Friday stating, “Ottawa Police and its partners are implementing a surge and contain strategy in Ottawa’s downtown neighbourhoods to further protect neighbourhoods, restore order and prevent unlawful activity.”

The police acknowledged prior reports that the city is expecting a surge of additional supporters of the protest this weekend, saying, “we are significantly increasing our policing resources to respond.”

Around 150 additional officers are expected to be deployed on the ground in four downtown Ottawa areas, such as Centretown, and Byward Market and police say they will be deploying “concrete and heavy equipment barricades to create no-access roadways throughout the downtown core.” – READ MORE