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Just five years ago, the notion of a police detective nominating a metal recycler for a law enforcement partnership award would have been unheard of, said Karen Blythe, executive director of the Construction Industry Crime Prevention Program of the Pacific Northwest.

At the 15^th annual CICP award lunch today, it happened for the first time – and both the nominator, Det. Johann Schneider of the Eugene Police Department, and representatives from the award winner, Schnitzer Steel, said they’re impressed at how effectively the different groups have come together in recent years and learned to work together to stop crime at construction sites.

“Law enforcement used to look at metal recyclers like ‘you’re just a fencing operation,'” Schneider said. “I don’t know why it was like that. They’re not fencing operations at all. I see them as good working partners, and I think this group has had a big hand in that.”

Five years ago, recyclers and law enforcers would sit on either side of the banquet and eyeball each other suspiciously, he added.

But at the Tuesday event, the 100 or so recyclers, construction managers and police officials all intermingled and continued to chat after the awards presentation ended.

Chris Gerlitz, general manager of Schnitzer in Eugene, said he was surprised and honored that Schneider nominated him and his company – and has also has been notably struck by the improved relationships in the industry.

“We’ve always had a good relationship with the police, but it’s only growth with detectives like Johann Schneider,” Gerlitz said. “We’re really proud of that relationship, and Schnitzer truly believes in what this organization stands for. A partner award with a law enforcement officer speaks volumes.”

Gerlitz is equally impressed with Schneider, he said.

The detective goes beyond the call of his job and even passes his personal cell phone number out to workers in Eugene to help encourage them to report suspicious materials, Gerlitz said.

“We’re fortunate to have people like Schneider, and people like our employees that have a sixth sense about reporting when things look suspicious,” Gerlitz said.

About 15 police departments from across Oregon sent representatives to the event.

Besides the partnership award, the group also presented two law enforcement awards and an award for the construction company, individual or group that did the most to prevent crime, called the Padlock Award.

Andersen Construction won the Padlock Award, and Blythe noted that the company was diligent in posting CICP signs, holding educational meetings for workers and meeting with law enforcement officials as part of their efforts.

“They have integrated and executed crime prevention in every step of (their) jobs,” Blythe said. “On these Oregon jobs the results are phenomenal, in over two years, not one job has suffered a loss due to theft.”

Det. Mark Georgioff of the Portland Police Bureau received one of the two law enforcement awards. His three month investigation of suspect Michael Allen Pavlicek in a series of more than 60 burglaries between Nov. 2009 and June 2010 led to the recovery of more than $350,000 in goods out of about $700,000 stolen.

Recovered items included a case excavator, 31 laptop computers, five motor vehicles, toolboxes, hundreds of tools and a variety of other items, Blythe said.

“As a result of Det. Georgioff’s work, Pavlicek pled guilty to multiple counts of theft and burglary and felon in possession of a firearm,” Blythe said. “In November he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, in addition to stipulated restitution.”

Det. Bill Orsborn of the Pullman, Washington Police Department got the other law enforcement award.

An investigation led by Orsborn of crimes in several jurisdictions led to the arrest of Paul Bickle. Because of Orsborn’s work, police were able to recover a $50,000 stolen excavator and other equipment.

“Det. Orsborn was instrumental in the return of equipment, parts, merchandise – as well as a great conviction that put a prolific burglar and thief behind bars,” Blythe said.