After four days of combing a section of the Nith River police have not found five-year-old Robbie Reiner.

Now officials are faced with a tough decision of what to do next.

With the use of a hand-held sonar device, an OPP diver scans a section of the Nith River.

But with every passing hour police say the probability of finding Robbie close to home gets harder.

“They’re obviously distraught.  They want us to bring their boy home as does everybody here that is involved in the search but unfortunately it’s frustrating when we haven’t had success.”  Deputy Chief of Police Operations Kevin Chalk says.

To help with the search officials were going to bring in an OPP helicopter from Sudbury but snow grounded the chopper and its team.

Police say their top priority has been to find Robbie and to give the family some kind of closure but their main concern is the safety of officers.

“For the divers to go in they need an airline that comes out and the danger is if ice moves it pinches that line off, they become trapped it becomes a very dangerous situation to break ice and go in at that point.” Chalk says.

Saturday night outside the Reiner’s home, nearly 500 people gathered for a silent vigil, to share their condolences and a few words of encouragement.

“I think it was important to show the community coming together to support them through a very difficult time and there really is no words.” Mike Rice says about the vigil.

Robbie’s dad Bill Reiner appreciated the turnout and thanked the crowd for coming together.

Psychotherapist Patti Moses says the community needs to listen to what the family needs but small gestures will remind them they’re not alone.

“Putting up signs, putting ribbons on trees, all of those little things may seem trivial but in the big picture it's as important for the community to be healthy to be able to support that family.” Moses says.

She also says in tough situations like this one, the impact of trauma is felt throughout the community.

Free ribbons are being made available for pick up at 25 Milton Street in New Hamburg.   Donations are also being accepted for the family.