[Barry Ward] is a former local municipal police officer who worked for MPI for more than 23 years. He is also the President of the Central Canadian Auto Theft Associations and the Executive Director of the National Committee to Reduce Auto Theft, both of which lobby government and manufacturers to take steps to combat auto theft. He reports that the organizations' efforts were partly responsible for Daimler Chrysler's decision as of 2003 to equip all their new models with immobilizers. ("We were able to show Daimler Chrysler statistically that their products accounted for almost 50 per cent of all stolen vehicles in Canada," Ward says.)

Ward opened Ward's Auto Security in March (shortly after he retired from MPI) and, he says, his company has quickly grown to become one of the largest volume immobilizer installers in the city. "With our 30 certified installers, we can install immobilizers in over 35 vehicles a day," he says.

Ward notes that there up to five immobilizer products on the market that meets the industry approval. Ward's Auto Security carries both the AutoWatch and MasterGard products. AutoWatch and MasterGard are the predominant products recognized and installed in Manitoba. "We guarantee our work for the life of the vehicle," Ward says. "The products themselves are guaranteed for two years. If there are any problems, they will show up within the first few hours of operation, following the installation and can quickly be rectified."