BAR: KJ’S COFFEE BAR
Every neighborhood should have a cafe like KJ’s Coffee Bar, 1710 E. 25th Ave. This demitasse treasure is in the Whittier neighborhood and turns 2 in August. It’s just 820 square feet, the size of a living room, and usually filled with dads and moms, kids, students, business types — good neighbors all. “It’s all about the neighborhood,” says owner Kenny Johnson, who lives just a block away with his wife and son. He can walk over any time, as most customers do, for coffee, wine, beer, Wi-Fi and live music.
GRILLED: SONNY JACKSON
Sonny Jackson, 51, is the spokesman for the Denver Police Department. He’s a civilian, not an officer, which is unusual. But he knows how to talk to the public and the press, getting the news out, which often isn’t so good. Born and raised in Denver, Jackson went to South High, then on to Kansas for some college football, then to Tennessee State. His first post-college job was at a small TV station in Wichita, then back to Denver for a job at KWGN-Channel 2, then to KUSA-Channel 9 for 18 years. He was always holding the camera or behind the assignment desk, never a reporter. He became the mouthpiece for the police seven years ago. Single, he lives with his dog, Rocky, a few blocks from KJ’s. He arrives with the black lab and orders a New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale.
BH: How did you end up with the police from TV? It’s not the most obvious career move.
Jackson: I was thinking about a second career, and they posted the job, and I made the cut.
BH: You have job security here, don’t you?
Jackson: Well, I don’t have to get rehired every time someone gets a promotion or we get a new chief. But you know, I don’t take anything for granted. In this world, you are always paying your dues.
BH: Is this job what you thought it would be?
Jackson: Yes and more. The first day here, I walked into a meeting with the chief and the DA, and we’re talking about a major incident and I am like, “Whoa! What did I step into?” I was used to being on the outside looking in.
BH: What are your challenges?
Jackson: You want to give out the information, you want to serve the people and the press. But you want justice to be served, so you don’t want to give out information that gives the DA heartburn, you don’t want to cause him problems in court. So it’s hard.
BH: Do you have to spin the story?
Jackson: I don’t think so, I just want to explain what happened and to give some perspective to it.
BH: You spin to exercise though.
Jackson: I teach a spinning class four to five times a week at the Denver Athletic Club. At 6 a.m. With crime, I’ve learned the odds of getting called out at 6 in the morning are less than at 5 in the evening. It’s a de-stresser.
BH: What kinds of mix tapes do you make for your spinning?
Jackson: They are so wild. I might use the Temptations and then go to the Afro Celt Sound System to Bonnie Raitt to Cirque du Soleil. I like music.
BH: Has this job changed your attitude toward people?
Jackson: I think people are generally good. We just have some people out there who do bad things.
BH: Are there days that are so bad you want to cry?
Jackson: I have seen some things happen to children. And it’s tragic, and it hurts. You shake your head sometimes at what people do.
BH: What about shootings?
Jackson: Anytime you are dealing with a life, it’s challenging. It’s not something you can shake off. You think about it. You learn how to cope with it.
BH: You’re on call all the time.
Jackson: Yes, but it’s a job that fits me. I like knowing what’s going on; I like being involved.
BH: You’re off-duty now, and you’re having a beer. But you can’t have 10 beers.
Jackson: No. But I am at a point in my life where I’m not going to sit around and get polluted like I did when I was 21. I have a little more sense. My desires are different.
BH: Can you relax?
Jackson: Yes. I have a lot of other things in my life, My job is not my only life.
BH: Were you ever married?
Jackson: No. But I have a son who’s 27 years old. I wasn’t careful once. I have three beautiful granddaughters. And I have a good family. They are always in my corner.
BH: Did you ever want to be a policeman?
Jackson: Not really. But I’ve always gotten along with police officers over the years. I mean, when something bad happens, who you gonna call?
BH: You always seem to dress well when you’re on TV.
Jackson: Clothing is part of this job. But I am a very casual guy, outdoorsy kind of guy. I like working around the house. I was running late getting here or I would have changed into jeans and a T-shirt.
BH: People tell me you’re a big-hearted guy.
Jackson: I care about people.
BH: Was growing up in Denver tough?
Jackson: Personally, I didn’t have a lot of issues. I’m a guy, and I had my share of scraps and fights. That’s the way of the world. But so far as what kids are dealing with today, like gangs, we didn’t have any of that. I had a few guys I went to high school with get killed, things like that, but I had a good family foundation. I went to parties, I played ball, I wrestled.
BH: What’s your greatest fear?
Jackson: Hurting someone.
BH: What’s your greatest extravagance?
Jackson: I like the toys, gadgets and tools.
BH: What do you drive?
Jackson: I’m not into cars. I have a ’97 Forerunner. Cars are nice, but they’re just transportation.
BH: What’s your current state of mind?
Jackson: Grateful. I am very blessed.
BH: What don’t you like about your appearance?
Jackson: I’d like to drop some pounds.
BH: What talent would you like to have.
Jackson: Once I wanted to be a great football player. Now, I’d like to be a writer.
BH: When were you happiest?
Jackson: My high school years were great.
BH: What would you change in yourself?
Jackson: I wouldn’t be so sensitive.
BH: Where would you like to live?
Jackson: I am very content here. And I have a shack in the mountains up near Fairplay.
BH: Where do you like to travel?
Jackson: I take a lot of cruises. I get away from work, it’s a different environment, and my phones don’t usually work on ships.
BH: Ever had your heart broken?
Jackson: Oh yes.
BH: What’s in your fridge?
Jackson: A baked chicken, probably some tamales, lots of orange juice, fresh strawberries, some turkey.
BH: Do you watch TV much?
Jackson: I like cop shows. It’s kind of fun to make fun of what they do. I loved the writing in “West Wing.” My favorite show on TV right now is “Two and a Half Men.” I just sit there and roll. But I don’t watch much. I have a long week.
BH: What’s your greatest regret?
Jackson: I wish I was closer to my son. I have spent too much time working.
BH: Motto?
Jackson: Treat everyone with respect. I truly am a happy guy despite my crazy job.
BH: Between this job and TV, you have seen a lot of violence.
Jackson: I’ve seen miracles too.
BH: What will you tell your successor?
Jackson: Don’t be thin-skinned. There are going to be days, no matter what you do, they’re going to hurt.
Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Bill Husted: 303-954-1486 or bhusted@denverpost.com.
