Frustrated

Dear editor:
I am the owner of Suds and Tubs Laundromat on Portage Avenue in Fort Frances. Recently, my building was vandalized by way of breaking my large storefront window.
Due to the fact that I was near my surveillance system at the time of the incident, I was able to capture and hold the man until police arrived (which, to their credit, was a very short time after).
The man then was taken off to jail and my family and I were left to clean up the mess late at night on New Year’s Day.
After reviewing the surveillance video with police, it showed the man attempting to elbow the window and fail. He then made a second attempt with a kick and failed.
Finally, on his third attempt, he was able to get his whole leg through the large window.
The next day, I went down to the courthouse and spoke to the very helpful Crown Attorney, who instructed me to get some written estimates for the cost to replace the broken window. After getting the estimate for the damages, I then decided to sit in on the court hearing.
During the hearing, there were a few misconceptions in regards to the amount of restitution that I was asking for and whether or not insurance was going to be involved. But when I put my hand up to speak, the judge immediately growled, “No, you may not speak. You speak to the Crown!”
For a minute, I thought I was the criminal. Meanwhile, the man who vandalized my window could say whatever he pleased when he pleased.
The accommodating Crown came to hear my concerns and then addressed them with the judge.
Now for the sentence. The man ended up with a $300 fine, with one year to pay. He also was given a year probation due to a previous criminal activity.
And only after a hard fight by the Crown did the judge finally order him to pay the restitution I requested, giving him a lenient one year to pay.
So FYI. If you do become a victim of vandalism, you can go to the courthouse before the vandal is convicted and there is a very helpful Crown Attorney who will fight for restitution of damages.
A frustrated victim,
Duane Loveday
Fort Frances, Ont.