Police in Port Moody, B.C., have issued a public-safety warning about a man with alleged gang ties living in the city.
Port Moody police said Dennis Karbovanec presents an "immediate and significant threat to public safety," because he is a targeted gang member.
"Anyone choosing to associate or conduct business with [him] … is putting their personal safety at considerable risk," Insp. Andy Richard said Thursday.
Police allege Karbovanec, 28, is a close associate of the Bacon brothers and the Red Scorpion gang, and is believed to be in the crosshairs of the latest gang violence in metro Vancouver. Six days ago, Kevin LeClair, another known associate of the Bacon brothers, was gunned down in a busy parking lot in Langley.
Jamie Bacon, 23, and his brother Jarrod, 26, each have 24 outstanding firearms and drug charges against them. Last October, police warned the public to avoid the brothers, who had a number of death threats against them.
I'm a little concerned with this warning -- all we know is that this person is "alleged" to be involved with nefarious activities -- where do we draw the line? Should the police be publicly posting pictures/names of all people who have any kind of ties with an "alleged" criminal?
I do remember having students who had been charged with criminal offenses in my class (viz., Robert B) and felt somewhat uncomfortable having him in my office but really, he was presumed innocent until proven guilty.
How can we reconcile personal safety with the maintenance of our rights?
1 comment:
Seems they may have gotten it right this time. I suspect the residents of Port Moody didn't get the whole story from the police when all this started.
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