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Description
Aiken Public Safety Community Resources Coordinator Cynthia Griffin and Town Creek Baptist Church Senior Pastor Clint Smith discuss the Aiken Safe Communities program, the role the Action Team plays in offering assistance to felons upon release from prison, and how community members can help.
A
Welcome
to
a
theme
this
week,
I
memory
Langston
today,
my
guests
are
Cynthia
Griffin,
who
is
the
community
resources
coordinator
for
the
Aiken
Department
of
Public
Safety
in
clint
smith.
He
was
a
local
pastor
here
naked
in
a
member
of
our
a
conceived,
Community
Action
Team.
We're
so
pleased
to
have
you
both
here
today.
Thank
you
so
much.
Thank
you.
A
We're
going
to
be
talking
about
a
very
innovative
initiative
or
approach
that
the
city
of
vacant,
the
Department
of
Public
Safety,
has
tackled,
and
that's
akin,
safe
communities
and
I
know
that
you
both
have
been
deeply
involved
with
this
program
for
about
three
years
now.
So
as
we
get
started,
I
want
you
to
share
who
who
you
are
and
a
little
bit
about
what
you
do
and
how
you're
involved
with
this
and
simp.
You
will
start
with
you.
Okay,.
B
B
The
volunteer
table
then
sign
up
and
get
your
information
down,
and
they
contacted
me
and
said
where
you're
interested
in
helping
and
from
that
point
forward,
we've
been
involved
in
a
deep
level
with
every
level
I
think
of
safe
communities
will
they
can
say
for
community
action.
We
get
involved
in
the
right
of
the
beginning
and
now
we're
still
involved
even
today,
very.
A
Good
well,
I
know
that
you
know
at
the
NAU
and
I
have
had
many
discussions
and
I
have
been
in
on
some
of
the
meetings
that
you
have
held.
Safety
is
so
fundamental
to
any
neighborhood
any
community.
You
know
that
is
that
is
key,
and
that
is
course
so,
because
we're
getting
started
today
give
us
a
framework
of
the
Aiken
Safe
Communities
approaching
what
that
is
well.
C
Actually,
in
a
very
broad
definition,
the
Aiken,
safe
communities
approach
is
a
holistic
community
effort
to
create
and
sustain
safe
communities
in
aiken.
That's
the
very
broad
definition
of
Aiken
safe
communities.
At
this
particular
time
we
are
focusing
on
the
component
that
addresses
violent
crime,
we're
working
a
violence
reduction
program
that
focuses
directly
on
recurring
violent
offenders
and
their
families.
Again
safe
communities
is
broad.
There
are
many
components.
Our
particular
focus
now
is
on
reducing
violent
crime
and
working
with
those
recurring
violent
offenders,
sure
sure.
A
C
C
What
we
have
found
in
implementing
safe
communities
is
that
our
communities
role
is
to
take
ownership
ownership
of
our
immediate
areas,
our
neighborhoods,
making
sure
that
they
are
clean
and
safe
environments
for
our
family.
Then
the
community
has
a
responsibility
to
build
relationship
within
their
own
community,
getting
to
know
your
neighbors
so
that
you
do
know
when
something
is
out
of
order
and
then
ultimately
coming
to
the
table
with
law
enforcement
and
creating
productive
partnerships.
A
And
that
those
are
again
what
you're
talking
about
very
key,
very
fundamental
and
very
holistic,
especially
with
things
that
have
happened
in
our
country
here
recently
in
the
past
couple
of
years.
This
is
just
such
a
breath
of
fresh
air
to
have
in
our
community
I
think
we're
so
lucky
to
have
had
this.
This
approach
brought
forth
and
being
cultivated
in
our
city,
so
Clint
is
there
a
particular
group
of
people
that
work
directly
with
the
the
notified
participants?
That
cynthy
was
talking
about
of
the
approach.
There's.
B
A
what
we
call
a
core
team
that
initially
began
a
group
of
professionals
and
just
folks
that
had
from
the
community
that
were
interested
in
Safe,
Communities
and
I.
Let
me
get
back
to
some
moment.
That's
how
I
got
involved
as
well,
not
as
just
as
a
pastor
or
bringing
faith
element
in,
but
as
a
as
a
dad
as
a
grandfather,
part
of
the
community
who
wanted
a
safe
community
for
my
children
from
our
family
as
well.
B
So
initially,
it
was
whether
some
selfish
reasons
or
community
reasons
it
was
both
I
want
a
safe
community
so
that
core
group
came
along
and
we
kind
of
jump.
There's
people
involved
in
the
local
school
districts,
there's
people
from
different
professions
that
are
involved
and
so
I
think
every
element
of
our
community
is
representative
even
there
on
the
court
team
as
we
as
we
began
and
started
to
to
talk
about
what
is
it
as
we
hash
this
out,
because
this
was
new
for
us.
B
What
does
it
look
like
and
what
is
it
going
to
look
like
in
future,
and
it
was
very
helpful
and
I
think
the
core
core
team
is
still
still
there,
so
they
really.
We
really
believe
in
aiken,
safe
communities,
we
started
and
we're
still
on
board
surround
the
all
the
folks
that
are
involved
her
from
different
aspects
of
the
community.
That's.
A
C
Going
to
add
what
the
core
team
that
Clinton
really
had
he's
been
there
since
the
very
getting
in,
and
they
have
really
developed
this.
This
has
evolved.
We
started
following
a
model,
but
this
core
team
has
been
instrumental
and
making
sure
that
model
molds
and
fits
aiken
from
very
well,
and
so
they
really
formed
their
relationship
and
partnership
around
the
notified
participant.
C
So
the
core
team
comes
alongside
and
sort
of
takes
those
three
fundamental
things
on
a
relationship
and
partnership
and
apply
it
directly
to
the
notify
participants
and
they
form
like
a
cocoon
around
them
everything
and
begin
to
help
them
with
with
some
of
the
life
decisions
and
gold
settings
and
connecting
them
with
resources,
and
so
it
has
been.
We
could
not.
We
couldn't
do
this
without
that
core
team,
because
again
they
have
made
a
national
model
very
akin
friendly
and
made
it
our
own.
Well,.
A
C
A
B
The
primary
goal
is
to
provide
a
quality
of
life
and
reduce
violence.
I
mean,
I
know
that
some
that's
a
summary
of
what
we're
in
what
we
get
involved
with
this
forms.
How
do
we
actually
help
the
community
and
how
do
we
do
our
part?
I'm
a
volunteer
I'm,
a
pastor
I'm,
not
law
enforcement,
and
we
and
we
as
we
progress
to
the
interview,
olives,
chair,
that
we
came
and
said.
B
How
can
one
person
make
a
difference
and
when
chief
asked
for
those
of
us
that
are
interested
to
sign
up,
I
did
want
a
better
quality
of
life,
because
I
knew
violence.
We've
gone
through
a
series,
even
through
this
time,
of
a
couple
of
Aiken
police
officers
being
killed,
and
that
was
that
was
very
personal
for
the
community
and.
A
B
Me
personally,
I
knew
one
of
them
personally,
and
so
how
do
we
improve
the
quality
of
life?
How
do
we
reduce
violence?
There's
got
to
be
some
part
that
I
can
do,
and
this
was
a
part
that
I
could
found
myself.
That
I
could
play
and
I
find
that
being
productive,
something
that's
very
positive.
That
I
can
actually
it
takes
time.
It
does
surrender
sometime,
but
before
community,
like
hey,
can
I
think
it's
worth
it
very.
A
B
That
to
understand
it
need
to
experience
it.
I
think,
but
I
can
I'll
do
my
best.
There
is
a
selection
process
that
begins
with
men
and
women
that
have
been
violent
offenders.
The
whole
process.
The
idea
is
the
repeat
of
violent
history
is
in
most
of
these
folks
that
are
candidates
that
are
coming
forward.
It's
in
their
history,
so
they're
selected
there's
a
process
by
selection,
and
that
was
a
little
bit,
hesitant
that
how
to
use.
How
do
we
pick
these
selections?
B
Initially,
you
know
just
randomly
picking
someone,
because
you
don't
you
have
a
you
know
something
about
them
more
than
the
others,
and
so
I
was
invited
to
the
first
selection
process.
For
me
and
I
was
in
a
training
room
with
multiple
FBI.
Was
there
how
a
patrol
was
there
city
of
Aiken?
Was
there
the
county
was
their
sled?
Was
there
and
then
civilians
were
there
and
then,
as
they
had
the
training
session,
they
give
you
a
scorecard
to
understand
what
we're
dealing
with
and
its
reality.
B
There's
nothing
covered,
there's
nothing
hidden,
but
there's
no
name,
there's
no
race
and
there's
no
gender
on
the
profile.
So
it's
just
a
white
sheet
with
all
the
records
of
the
offenses.
That's
happened
in
the
past,
so
the
selection
process
is
very
much
like
that.
You
score
out
of
the
folks
who
have
violently
offended
the
worst
of
the
of
the
ones
that
you
experience
on
the
own
them
on
the
board.
Again,
no
name,
no
race,
no
gender.
You
don't
know
if
it's
man,
woman
right.
A
B
Know
where
they're
from
no
address
no
phone
numbers,
it's
just
the
fences
and
sometimes
you
have
to
even
get
the
codes.
The
police
codes
explained
what
that
offense
was
that's.
How
knew
we
were
to
the
process
so
the
selection
process?
It's
we
select
anywhere
from
ten
to
fifteen
and
that's
not
I
select
and
we
put
our
it
in
and.
A
A
B
B
That's
the
next
process,
they're
notified
by
partner
paroles,
listen,
you
need
to
come
in
and
you're
gonna
be
notified
on
such
a
such
day,
and
they
require
them
to
come
in
to
the
notification
we
come
as
community
as
a
safe
community
and
also
some
other
people
that
are
not
part
of
the
core
group
directly.
Initially
they'll
come
in
from
folks.
That
might
be.
We
would
call
the
vendors
or
someone
that
actually
would
help
these
potential
people
that
have
offended
we
take.
B
We
take
the
opportunity
before
law
enforcement
comes
in
law
enforcement
is
not
in
the
room
directly
in
front
of
them.
We
take
the
opportunity
to
tell
them
that
we
care
about
them
that
we
really
want
to
see
them
succeed
that
we
we
have
resources
if
they
so
choose
to
take
advantage
of
the
resources
we're
offering.
B
We
don't
make
any
promises
to
them,
just
tell
them
we're
there
to
support
them,
and
then
we
basically
tell
them
how
much
we
care,
but
ultimately
we
tell
them
we're
here
to
support
law
enforcement,
so
whatever
law
enforcement
makes
that
final
decision
when
that
day
comes
and
if
they
choose
to
reoffend,
we
support
law
enforcement
than
that,
but
we
do
support
them
if
they
choose
to
be
a
productive
good
citizen
of
Aiken
and
we
want
to
help
them
along
the
way.
So
the
notification
process
happens
there.
It's
public,
there's
news
there.
B
He
says
you
can,
or
you
can
violently
offend
again
and
you're,
going
to
either
go
to
jail
or
you're
going
to
get
killed
in
the
streets,
and
he
says,
there's
examples
of
both
or
you
can
choose
to
be
a
productive
citizen
and
then
live
with
our
community
make
our
community
safe.
So
he
does
give
those
options.
So
it's
heavy!
Then
it's
a
gracious
offer
to
to
do
right
and
then,
after
the
notification,
the
public
notification
we
meet
in
a
separate
room
to
give
them
information.
That's
produced
the
city
producers.
B
That
city
has
given
us
an
opportunity
to
have
an
office
area
where
we
can
actually
make
phone
calls
receive
phone
calls
not
on
our
personal
phones
but
directly
through
the
city,
safe
community,
and
so
we
tell
them.
This
is
real
serious
you've
seen
the
pictures,
there's
pictures
of
men
who
have
been
arrested
and
women
who've
been
rearrested
after
violently
offending
hearing
and
not
taking
it
serious,
but
there's
also
the
success
stories
we
have
and
then
there's
the
stories
we
haven't
heard
anything
from
so
Adam,
so
we've
told
them
with
serious.
B
We
want
to
help
call
this
number.
They
get
the
check
off
if
they're
interested
in
housing,
anger
management
classes
if
they
need
a
job
that
need
a
GED.
There's
a
lot
of
selection
on
that
on
that
on
the
brochure
that
they
can
choose
and
say,
this
is
what
I
need
help
with
and
then
in
the
back
of
the
bus.
Sure
they
they
do
acknowledge.
I
do
won't
help
and
they'll
sign
it
they'll
sign
knowing
that
it's
their
responsibility
to
call
us,
and
we
don't
make
any
promises
to
me,
but
our
some
check.
B
I
do
not
want
any
assistance
if
they
choose
to
accept
or
reject
assistance
that
we've
offered
we've
had
both
success
and
failures
through
the
assistance.
If
they
get
re-arrested
for
violent
offense,
then
we
keep
our
promise
that
we
support
law
enforcement
and
show
up
to
the
bond
hearings.
Now,
that's
a
very
troubling
event
for
me,
because
I'm
a
father
of
three
and
a
grandfather
and
see
me
in
a
room
with
family
and
having
to
explain
to
the
judge,
because
the
prosecutor
will
bring
up
your
honor
this
this.
B
So
the
day
of
the
bond
hearing,
usually
the
prosecutor
will
ask
or
struck
the
judge
or
ask
the
judge
for
us
to
opportunity
to
speak
and
say
your
honor,
a
member
of
safe
communities
is
here
to
speak
and
we
speak
directly
to
the
judge
and
we've
had
to
speak
directly
in
front
of
young
mens
mothers
and
aunts
and
uncles
and
friends
and
girlfriends
and
wives
and
husbands
we've
had
to.
But
it
goes
both
ways.
B
We've
had
to
step
in,
you
have
to
literally
press
the
button
and
speak
to
the
judge,
threw
the
glass
they're
looking
at
us,
we're
looking
at
them
and
their
families
in
with
us,
and
we
say
Your
Honor.
We
gave
this
person
an
opportunity.
We
really
cared
about
this
person
and
we
tell
them
if
they
reoffended
violently
riffing
that
we
would
be
here
on
their
bond
hearing.
So
whatever
the
prosecutor
asked,
we
asked,
we've
had
bond
denied
and
that's
not
a
I.
B
Don't
have
any
joy
in
that
we've
had
bond
raised
extremely
hot
and
in
the
prosecution
process
has
gone
much.
It's
very
fast.
It's
a
faster
approach,
because
they're
told
we
will
move
your
case
to
the
top
of
the
case,
and
so
do
we
every
case
I've
been
involved.
In
so
far
the
judge
says
the
community
has
spoken
and
there's
been
a
gavel
and
bondsman
de
nada
race
to
the
extreme
level.
B
There's
been
a
lot
of
after
families,
not
happy
with
us
and
I've
explained
even
me
as
a
pastor,
it's
hard
to
hear
some
of
the
things
that's
been
said,
but
law
enforcement
been
there
with
us,
and
that
was
one
thing.
I
think
I
told
chief
branko,
listen
chief.
If
you're
going
to
be
serious
about
this
I
live
on
a
public
street
I'm,
a
very
public
person
and
so
safe
communities
is
very
important
to
me
and
safety
of
my
family.
B
And
so,
if
you
don't
do
your
part,
if
the
public
safety
to
do
their
part,
that
I'm
just
going
to
put
myself
out
there
on
the
edge
and
I'll
be
left
and
I
can
say
honestly
today
that
I'm,
that's
why
I'm
still
involved
in
it,
Public
Safety
has
done
their
part
and
I.
Think
chief
has
even
gone
above
and
beyond.
I.
Think
Cynthia
through
the
community
services
there's
been
focused,
have
gone
above
and
beyond
to
help,
and
this
has
been
a
very
positive
experience,
even
with
the
negative
things
that
involve
it's
a
very
positive
experience.
B
B
A
B
A
And
the
players
at
the
table
are
very
impressive
and
it
says
a
lot
about
the
partnerships
in
the
seriousness
and
in
the
commitment
in
this
community,
because
it
is
it's:
it's
our
law
enforcement,
our
city,
our
baking,
Public
Safety,
it's
the
FBI,
it's
led,
you
know,
so
we
have
our
local,
our
county
or
state,
and
our
federal
guys
that
are
supporting
this
in
a
very
big
way,
so
that
it
is.
It
is
quite
it's
quite
a
process.
The.
B
A
B
The
prosecuting
element
to
the
even
the
prison
warden
coming
and
saying,
listen,
I,
don't
want
to
see
you
guys
back
at
my
place
or
pardon
paroles
with
Miss
Marie.
Talking,
listen,
guys,
y'all
know
me
I
care
about
you
I
want
to
see
you
succeed,
so
everyone
is
being
very
supportive
but
very
firm
at
the
same
time
and
I
think
that's
been.
The
joint
effort
has
been
its
unique
taken.
I
believe
that
I've
never
seen
anything
like
it
right.
C
So
in
any
relationship,
if
I
give
you
my
word
on
something
you
expect
me
to
through.
So
just
this
Clint
was
just
saying
the
follow
through
with
the
community.
We
said
that
if
you
read
it
violently,
we
will
be
at
your
bond
hearing
to
request
bonding
tonight.
They
need
to
be
there
if
you
want
to
come
in
and
participate
with
some
of
the
programs
and
services
we're
here
for
you.
It
is
important
that
they
follow
through
on
that,
so
building
that
relationship,
the
trust
that
is
key
to
to
to
what
we're
doing
with
safe
communities.
C
B
B
The
file
throw
on
the
positive
side
is
when
someone
has
a
need,
if
there's,
if
they
call
and
follow
up,
say
I
need
this,
and
we
just
recently
had
one
that
had
a
medical
need,
and
there
was
one
of
our
vendors
Christ
central
I'll
mention
them
because
they
were
very
Judy
food.
There
was
very
helpful
in
that
job
connection
and
goodwill.
Jennifer
has
been
very
helpful
there.
So
there's
these
are
folks
that
we
again
make
no
promises.
We
just
tell
them.
We
want
to
be
honest
with
them.
We
want.
B
We
want
to
be
trustworthy
on
our
side
and,
and
we
make
the
attempt-
and
we
put
the
two
connected
the
resource
and
the
person
who
needs
the
resources
known.
We
is
even
a
faith
family
at
Town
Creek
have
a
helping
senator
we
help
individually
and
individual
members
of
our
churches
and
and
different
folks,
but
we've
tied
this
in
even
with
safe
communities.
We've
helped
young
men,
get
a
suit
of
clothing
for
them
to
have
a
job
interview.
There's
been
connections
for
geds,
there's
been
even
offering
on
the
faith
element.
B
A
A
B
Why
I
follow
through
with
that
to
show
them
love
I'm,
because
I
think
some
of
these
folks
they
struggle
with?
Do
you
really
care
about
me?
Is
this
just
another
program?
Are
you
just
trying
to
make
a
model
of
me
and
when
they
find
out
we're
real
they're,
real
and
the
ones
that
have
succeeded,
we
celebrate
and
the
ones
that
have
failed?
We
break
our
heart,
but
listen.
Why
didn't
these
guys
want
these
young?
Ladies,
take
a
take.
B
The
strong
notification
of
the
chief
gave
them
because
I
mean
who
really
gives
an
opportunity
who
gets
an
opportunity
for
the
law
enforcement
to
call
you
in
and
say
don't
do
this
again?
If
you
do
we're
going
to
prosecute
you
to
a
higher
level,
I've,
never
heard
of
that,
and
that's
something
that
usually
it's
just
you
just
make
the
arrest
and
we've
know:
we've
talked
about
it.
Cynthy
and
I
have
talked
about
it
with
chief
and
the
team.
We
can't
arrest
our
way
out
of
a
crime,
but
we
have
to
change
minds.
B
B
B
I
think
I
think
the
key
I,
maybe
I,
want
to
make
sure
to
make
this.
They
the
folks
that
are
actually
the
folks
that
we
make
contact
for
resources.
They
understand
these
young
men,
young
women
are
convicted
felons.
They
they
know
they're
going
through
a
program.
They
know
all
about
the
the
Safe
Communities
program
and
they're
still
willing
to
be
a
part
of
the
community.
B
Can
you
see
this
person?
They
are
coming
through
Safe
Communities.
So
there
is
the
information,
because
a
lot
of
folks
that
are
felons
come
back
and
say
no
one
will
talk
to
me
because
they
know
if
they
find
out
I'm
a
felon
soon,
as
I
check
the
box.
It's
done,
and
so
we
take
that
off
the
table
that
these
folks
already
know
that
ahead
of
time,
because
they're
working
with
us
they're
safe
communities
to
help
you
we
want
to
see
you
succeed
because
we
truly
want
you
to
be.
A
But
I
think
that
you
answer
I
was
going
to
ask
you
about
what
a
person
can
expect
when
they
make
an
appointment.
I
think
that
you
kind
of
touched
on
on
that
a
little
bit
with
with
what
you
just
said.
Is
there?
Is
there
any
more
to
you
know,
somebody
makes
that
initial
appointment
says.
Okay,
you
know
I've
been
notified
all
right,
guys,
I'm
willing
to
sit
down
with
you.
What
does
that
feel?
They're.
B
B
They
call
in
and
there's
a
voicemail.
They
leave
in
course
information
we
take
down.
We
call
them
back
and
we
take
time
as
safe
community
members
to
call
them
back.
What
is
it
that
you
have
need
of
and
we've
we've
had
opportunity
where
we've
followed
through
just
recently
that
folks
have
said.
Why
would
you
do
this?
They're
still?
Has
it
a
wonder
when
element?
I
think
I
left
out.
Let's
just
talk,
I
think
island.
C
B
Have
a
conversation
after
the
events
and
we
invite
you
to
a
saturday
morning
or
we
invite
you
to
a
roundtable,
just
sit
and
talk
to
us
and
we
bring
in
other
elements
and
other
people
in
the
in
the
core
team
plus
others
to
come
in
and
speak
and
no
law
enforcement.
There's
no
heavy
guns.
There
is
just
us
talking
with
them
saying:
listen.
What
do
you
want
out
of
life?
B
Maybe
someone
that's
been
and
on
the
inside
of
prison
and
has
had
success
on
the
outside.
We've
had
different
folks
speak
and
that's
an
element
of.
Let's
just
talk
is:
is
it
probably
a
key
element
that
I'm
forgot
the
follow
up,
that
we
just
have
a
conversation
with
them
and
that
builds
rapport,
and
then
they
feel
okay
to
call
in
and
they'll
tell
someone
else
you
can
call
in
to
that
number.
So
it's
been,
the
follow-ups
have
been
the
good
part
and
we've
had
that
again.
A
C
Conversation
building
relationship
before
we
actually
launched
the
approach
we
were
hearing
comments.
You
know,
is
this
going
to
work
and
then
statement
over
this
is
not
going
to
work.
You
know
it's
not
worth
it
there.
You
know
there
were
a
lot
of
naysayers
but
I
observe
from
the
beginning,
even
before
the
first
notification.
It
was
already
working
because
this
gave
us
the
opportunity
to
come
to
the
table
with
diverse
people,
organizations
and
begin
conversation
and
dialogue.
So
even
among
law
enforcement
that
task
force
that's
pulled
together.
C
They
weren't
always
communicating
at
the
level
that
they
are
now
they're,
better
able
to
leverage
their
resources
or,
and
it's
the
same
thing
with
the
community.
So
how
are
we
making
a
difference
by
creating
first
we've
already
all
taken
ownership?
Okay,
I
have
a
responsibility
to
make
sure
Aiken
is
a
safe
place.
Now,
here
we
are
building
relationship
with
each
other,
the
core
team
I'm
just
even
having
to
think
through
and
top
through
processes,
because
we
don't
have
a
script,
everyone
that
comes
in.
So
it's.
B
C
Challenge
so
we
have
to
talk
to
with
building
relationship
and
then
we're
able
to
effectively
partner
with
law
enforcement.
Other
agencies,
the
impact,
is
going
far
beyond
even
the
numbers
that
we
see
in
statistics.
It's
the
relationship
and
continues
to
to
strengthen
the
bonds
and
the
fabric
of
who
we
are
in
Aiken.
So
definitely
there
is
an
impact
we.
We
have
diverse
people
sitting
at
the
table
together,
you
know
across
racial
cultural
economic
lines,
oh
we're
making
an
imp
and
we
got
the
ruffles.
You.
C
A
Crucial
is
that
in
any
community
just
to
be
able
to
have
sit
at
the
table
with
diversity
and
have
those
conversations
and
y'all
are
doing
it.
It's
so
many
different
levels.
What
an
exciting
time,
what
a
wonderful
approach
truly
appreciate,
both
of
you
and
your
involvement
and
can't
wait
to
hear
more
exciting
things
from
aiken
Safe
Communities,
Glen
Clinton.
You
gave
it
a
number
that
they
can
call
in.
Can
you
give
us
that
number
one
more
time
sure.