People / Spotlight on achievers : ‘Mr. Neighborhood Watch’ Honored

For the past 17 years, Walt Johnson has been looking out for his neighbors.

Now 80, Johnson became involved in the city’s Neighborhood Watch program in 1979 after he retired from a career as an industrial engineer.

“I wanted to be part of the community,” said Johnson, a 24-year resident of the city. “It just seemed like we were being inundated with criminals. They were getting so bold. We had to do something to stop it.”

For nearly two decades, he has been instrumental in raising residents’ awareness of crime and getting people involved in preventing it. For his diligence, Johnson was honored with the Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year award for 1995.

A modest man who has grandchildren and great-grandchildren and has been married to wife Rita for 56 years, Johnson was reluctant to be in the spotlight. “They had to twist my arm to nominate me,” he said.

Others praise Johnson, however, and say he was more than worthy of the award.

“The Neighborhood Watch program wouldn’t be what it is today without Walt,” said City Council member John J. Collins, a past recipient of the honor and chairman of the selection committee.

“He’s one of the silent people in the background who helps make our community the great place it is.”

Police Chief Elvin G. Miali praised Johnson for revitalizing and expanding the program, saying: “He’s always there. . . . He’s Mr. Neighborhood Watch.”