Jon McKenzie, 44, marked 16 years in the role this week. One of his earliest memories from the job was helping prepare the city for a visit from the late Queen in 2010.
He said: “I had to assist the police and ensure that Derby was fully prepared to welcome her.
“We were looking down manholes and sealing them up for security reasons and on the day, I helped to control the crowd. Lucky for me, I did catch a glimpse of her. This was an amazing start to my new job.”
Jon works as a Ranger for the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID), based in the University of Derby’s Cavendish Building. Over the years, he has spent thousands of hours patrolling the city centre, supporting local businesses and welcoming visitors.
He said: “When I accepted the job as a Ranger I didn’t really know what to expect. I was new to Derby and had no idea exactly what Derby was all about.
“Now I can’t imagine doing anything else and I’d like to think that I’ve been here long enough to call Derby my home.”
Walking more than six miles a day, Jon has become a familiar face on Derby’s streets. His role involves supporting businesses and working closely with organisations including Derbyshire Police and Derby City Council’s Street Pride team.
Often described as the “eyes and ears” of the city, Jon says Rangers play an essential part in keeping Derby running smoothly.
He said: “The Rangers are an important resource in the area for sharing information, welcoming visitors, and tackling issues that affect the businesses in our BIDs, Business Improvement Districts.
“We play a crucial role in Derby. We’re often the first uniformed person on the scene - whether there has been a crime committed, an act of anti-social behaviour or a health-related emergency.
“We are actually like the fourth emergency service.”
This week, Jon was presented with a long-service award by Brad Worley, Manager for the Cathedral Quarter BID and St Peters Quarter BID.
Brad said: “It gives me enormous pleasure to present this certificate to Jon. We are enormously grateful for the work he does and he really is a valued member of the team.
“Over the last 16 years, Jon has built up a strong relationship with businesses in his BID. He is a friendly face on the street and someone the people of Derby have come to rely on.”
Dressed in his distinctive burgundy uniform and equipped with body-worn video and radios, Jon patrols the Cathedral Quarter area and has seen Derby evolve over the years. One of his proudest achievements was coming up with the idea for the annual Celebrate Sadler Gate event, which attracts thousands of visitors and marks its fifth year this summer.
He said: “Derby is changing, that is for sure. I mean, there is still a long way to go, but I like how it is taking shape. I have some moans, like there not enough public toilets or cash machines in the city, but that’s about it.
“I patrol my patch and ensure that everything is how it should be. If there’s a problem like vandalism or anti-social behaviour, then I report it and get it dealt with.”
Jon also recalled helping a man who had collapsed in the street after being alerted by the city’s CCTV team.
He said: “I did what I could to help and of course, timing is everything. We wear radios so we can respond to calls extremely quickly.
“From the moment you start work, you feel a huge sense of responsibility to support all the businesses and shoppers in your area. It means a lot to me to provide the very best help and support I can.
“Some days are hugely rewarding because you’ve helped someone, and other days are much trickier. You need very broad shoulders.”
Despite suffering a broken ankle at one point, Jon still made sure to visit the businesses on his patch.
He said: “Every day is different and that is what I like. One minute, I might be helping a shopper with parking advice and the next thing, we are being called to a live incident that needs our urgent attention.
“Patrolling my patch has become a way of life for me now and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
More information about the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter Business Improvement Districts can be found on their websites.
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