The recent carnage around Metro Vancouver has many people wondering why more gangsters aren't being locked up. To find out, CTV caught up with a man police are warning the public about.
The warnings make it difficult to understand why Dennis Karbovanec is still allowed to walk the streets.
Karbovanec is a convicted criminal with gang ties. He is monitored by police around the clock -- not for his own safety -- but to protect the public in case someone tries to execute him.
When Karbovanec left his Port Moody high-rise on Tuesday and later arrived at a Surrey Court, he was flanked by police officers, who escorted him inside.
This was not his first court appearance. Karbovanec has appeared in court over 60 times since 2001 -- and has a lengthy record for firearms and drug offences.
He was in court on Tuesday morning to face charges going back to last fall, charges that will now be tried separately.
Although police say he is marked and presents a serious threat to public safety, he was declared free to go after the court modified his bail conditions.
With so many gang-related shootings, his situation raises many questions as to why someone with such an extensive criminal history is not in custody.
"I think most judges realize that maybe bail shouldn't be granted to that person in those circumstances," said B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal.
On Tuesday, Federal Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan said changes have been made to make it tougher to get bail.
"We did change the criminal code to reverse the onus on bail to put the onus on the offender,'' he said.
But that is not what British Columbia's chief provincial court judge Hugh Stansfield told CTV on Monday
"Each one of us if we're arrested for anything have a right to be released from custody to maintain our liberty if you will, unless the crown can demonstrate, and the onus is on the crown,'' Stansfield said.
But in Karbovanec's case, critics say, his liberty comes at the expense of public safety
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Anna Gebauer
