Stop Gangsters

Dennis Karbovanec

Dennis Karbovanec has pleaded guilty to three counts of second degree murder after confessing to shooting and killing numerous people in the Surrey Six massacre in October 2007. Dennis admitted to shooting dead innocent victim Chris Mohan and drug dealers Ryan Bartolomeo and Michael Lal. His sentence is life with the possibility of parole after 15 years and he can thank his light sentence to his conscience as well as his desire to assist the police with the Surrey 6 shootings.

Even though we don’t know exactly what sort of deal Dennis Karbovanec made with the police and the Crown due a heavily contested publication ban, the consensus is that he told the police everything he knew about the Surrey Six murders and as a result, got some sort of considerations when it came to sentencing. We’re not sure if  life in jail can be considered a “consideration” but it is what it is.

On Kim Bolan’s blog, the debate rages between whether or not the sentence was fair. Some people are pleased that even though Dennis Karbovanec could be back on the streets(under “monitoring” for the rest of his life) in 15 years, many other members of the Red Scorpion gang are going to be locked away as a result of Dennis’ information. Others can’t fathom that the so called “serial killer” and “contract killer” might get out on good behaviour while the families of the murdered are going to suffer for life. There is even a debate as some people express sympathy only for the innocent victims of the Surrey 6 murders versus the people that believe that all the victims should receive equal respect, regardless if they were drug dealers or people in the wrong place at the wrong time.

We think that it took 50% common sense and 50% guilt that caused Dennis to walk up the RCMP and offer to tell them what he knew. He’s smart enough to know when the deck is stacked against him, he knows that none of the Bacons are going to take the rap for him so he does what most people would do. He does what is best for him. He looks out for #1 and tells the police what he knows.

Not only will Dennis’ testimony help lock up other Vancouver gangsters, but it will enable others up and down the line to start weighing their options with a realistic view after the police come knocking. Especially the younger gangsters.

Vancouver Gangsters have two choices.

If you are a gangster in your 20’s tell the police what you know what they get you. You know you’ll eventually be caught and locked up. Cut a deal. Even if you’ve killed someone, you’ll be out of jail in your mid 30’s, hopefully with a solid education after being locked down. You’ll get back in to society and you’ll have a decent life ahead of you if you work hard.

That’s the best option for these misguided young adult men. The other choice is…

You stay in the game and fight to the death. You end up in a ditch or slumped over your steering wheel and people read about you on a blog. If you are really hardcore, you’ll go down in a blaze of glory with other gangsters but let’s be honest…That only happens in the movies.

In real life, you are shot in the back of the head. You don’t even see it coming. Life just ends. No music, no credits. Fade to black like the final episode of the Soprano’s when everyone in the world watching yelled a collective, “What the fuck!” when Tony Soprano was sitting in the diner with the dramatic goings on around him and suddenly the screen went blank and the audio stopped. That’s what’ll happen when it’s your turn. Then a phone call to your parents from the cops, a funeral, a notice in the paper and you are a memory. Not very glamourous huh? No kids, no grandkids, no legacy. You end up a entry on a website that  eventually gets archived. Not very gangster.

Gangsters are not a loyal bunch and once the smart ones realize this, they will make the right choice to get out. Gangster have each other’s back when it comes to stepping to other gangs but once they face a loss of freedom, they aren’t so tough. ie: At the club, they have no problems grabbing a bottle or stool and going after a punk from a rival gang. When it comes to the police and the Law, they start thinking long and hard about the future. Would these guys around them take some of the blame? Would the “Boss” step up to the plate for them? Would he take the rap for them? Hell no.

Most of these gangsters are pawns and many haven’t figured it out it yet. The smart ones like Dennis realize that the only way out(other than with a toe tag) is to tell the police what they know and help them get rid of these gangsters that prey on the weak, and as their reward, they get another shot to make something of themselves.

Sure they’ll have to do some time. They’ll go in, keep to themselves and they’ll be fine. They will need to make sure that if someone steps to them, they rock them. Otherwise, read books, get on the kitchen range(it’s a nice gig) and get involved in as many programs as possible and they will do their time no problems.

We wish Dennis the best of luck and hopefully in 15 years when we do a follow-up after his parole hearing, we’ll hear that he found Jesus or something and has turned over a new leaf. We hope so!