Research shows a significantly large number of former prisoners returning from prison to select communities, predominantly disadvantaged urban neighborhoods where there is a rise in community-oriented policing. With this, there is a need for former prisoners and police to find ways in which to work together in order to succeed in enhancing public safety in high-risk areas. This commentary examines how former prisoners can position themselves within community-oriented policing strategies as assets or “seeds,” as opposed to liabilities or “weeds.” It takes the perspective of the former prisoner and attempts to humanize and contextualize the problem by providing a discussion dominated and grounded in lived experiences. It is through this collaboration, modeling mutual respect and a spirit of inclusion, that police and ex-offenders may come together to work for enhanced public safety. References