Event aims to boost Latinos' safety

When it comes to public safety for Latino immigrants, Kiko Cornejo says the key words are "education, education, education."

That's why Cornejo, executive director of the Latino Community Center, is preparing an event to let immigrants know about Utah's safety laws, from buckling up to making sure young children are secured in car seats.

"Safety is not a big issue in our countries," said Cornejo, a native of Chile. "We want them to know in a different country, you play by different rules. . . . It's not a law to use (child) car seats in many countries."

The free community event at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South, West Valley City, today and Saturday is the fifth annual Latino Health, Safety and Crime Prevention Conference. Advertising through Spanish-language media and a larger venue than in years past have Cornejo expecting hundreds of people to attend this year's event from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

There will be presentations on safety, health, crime prevention and immigration. There will also be children's activities Saturday, including a "bike rodeo," where children can receive free helmets. The Utah Health Department will provide HIV testing and other services. Nonprofits, businesses and state agencies will provide informational booths.

An awards and recognition program will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, followed by dinner and entertainment.

Mario Ortiz, district director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, will be on hand Saturday to discuss the role of his agency, created when "legacy INS" was split up and the branches moved under the Department of Homeland Security. CIS now handles immigration and naturalization, and other agencies handle enforcement.

Ortiz also hopes to educate people on immigration law and the ongoing debate in Washington, to protect them from scams.

Typically, Ortiz says, illegal immigrants are told about new immigration legislation, and are fraudulently told if they pay a fee, they'll be registered for legal status when the law passes.

"There is no law, there is no registry, but people are already paying money," Ortiz said. "The most important message right now is we have no legislation."

Luz Robles, director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, will also be on hand to discuss resources available to the community.

State agencies are improving when it comes to providing resources in a culturally competent manner, Robles said.