Autotheftcanada, founded by Ken Haywood, was created to help with the growing problems of vehicle theft and insurance fraud in Canada.

Former New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, and former NYPD Commissioner, William J. Bratton, have credited the "Broken Windows" theory, advanced by criminologists James Wilson and George Kelling, as the basis for their approach to crime. The theory posits that tolerating minor violations of the laws—public urination, panhandling, loud radios, prostitution, disorderly conduct, and "squeegeemen" who demand money from motorists—creates an environment of lawlessness that inevitably results in major crime and public fear. Arresting those engaging in these quality-of-life offenses discourages such behaviour and provides leads on other cases.

In Canada, the attention getting word is "organized crime" and major efforts are made in manpower and budgets to try to get the upper hand. However, the 1997 RCMP study "Sparkplug" mentions that organized crime operates "almost with impunity." Those familiar with theft and organized crime know that the currency of organized crime is auto theft. The motivation is low risk, huge profits, light penalties, cross provincial/state markets as well as overseas markets.

The theft-for-thrill (joy riding), hi-speed police chases, theft-for-commission of-a-crime, drive-by-shootings, car-jackings, theft-for-profit (i.e. stealing and sending overseas, re-VINning, odometer rollbacks) are a threat to the community's well-being and creates an environment of lawlessness that results in major crime. By not focusing on the above, the impression is left that organized crime is operating with impunity.

Auto theft is considered a victimless crime—a property crime. If a focus were put on the incidents mentioned above, there would be fewer deaths and less money flowing into organized crime.

Edmonton Journal Feb 2001 - Man on a Mission (pdf)
Ken Haywood Recognized for Efforts to Curb Auto Theft - Ken & Sheila with PM Chretien & Anne McLelland (pdf)
Alberta Solicitor General Crime Prevention Award

Ken Haywood has been in the auto business all his life, starting as a lot boy for a used car dealer. He then apprenticed as a mechanic in used car repairs. Later, he worked for a dealer who sold SKODAs, TATRAs, Henry J's, and Kaisers in Vancouver, BC. After working as a new and used car salesman, he later moved up to become the new car sales manager for various Big 3 dealers.

In 1970, he opened his own Ford dealership, Kentwood Ford Sales, in Edmonton, Alberta, which he operated until his retirement in August of 1996, at which time there were 80 employees.

Ken's philosophy is if the community supports your business, you support the community. He has been at one time or another President/Chairman of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, Crimestoppers, and City and Provincial Auto Dealers Associations. He is a past president and 20 year member of the North East Rotary Club in Edmonton and recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow.

In 1994, the Edmonton Police Service and RCMP came knocking on his door to tell him that his used car department, who were buying vehicles from a long associated broker, had purchased what were in fact stolen VIN-switched vehicles from Quebec. When the broker turned over his records to police, it was shown that he had imported over 300 vehicles, and was eventually charged with 105 offences. Ken ended up making good 30 of his customer's cars. The broker received a 2-year sentence. Ken took the whole learning experience personally.

Since the sale of the dealership in 1996, he has endeavored to find out and do something about auto theft in Canada. He is now using the skills that made him a successful businessman in trying to get the attention of local and national governments, law enforcement, insurance and the public to acknowledge the seriousness of the crime, its connection to organized crime, and its impact on victims.

Ken participated in the “Introduction to International & Homeland Security” course during the fall 2002 semester at the Metro Community College, Edmonton Public School as well as The Edmonton Police Service Citizens Police Academy, Class # 3, Fall 2003.

In 2001, Ken sponsored and hosted the 2001 Auto Theft Symposium in Edmonton with over 100 participants. A committee formed from that Symposium met with a Standing Policy on Justice and Government Services of the Alberta Government in June 2003 from which an Alberta government ad hoc committee on vehicle theft – Alberta Vehicle Theft Committee – was formed. It’s objective is to address the concerns generated by the symposium and to have the Alberta government formalize the committee whose sole purpose would be to address auto theft, fraud and odometer rollbacks in Alberta.

Ken works with an assistant, Christine. Ken is an associate member of MDA, MMDA, IACP and IAATI. Ken is positive and believes in giving back to the community for his great car life.

Ken and Sheila have a total of 8 grown children and 19 grandchildren between them. His pride and joy is a 1966 red Mustang convertible.

Auto theft - Canada's fastest growing industry!