Festival mixes music, messages

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will use a free community festival to provide safety information while entertaining families.

The second Nuestra Comunidad, which means "our community" in Spanish, is from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the University Area Community Center Complex, 14013 N. 22nd St.

Sponsoring the event with the sheriff's office are University Area Community Development Corp. and the Jim Walter Partnership Center. It is produced by Coda Sound, Inc. as part of the company's community outreach series.

Radio Disney will provide entertainment as well as performances by Danny Lozad and Grupo Atrevido. More than 30 informational booths will have educational, financial, anti-crime and health information.

There will be children's activities, drawings for bicycles, an opportunity to meet the horses from the sheriff's office mounted patrol and food for sale.

Maj. J.R. Burton, who commands the sheriff's district office in the area, said the festival began in 2010 as "we were looking for different methods to connect with the different communities."

That first event drew almost 2,000 people, he said.

Maritza Astorquiza of Coda Sound said the festival appeals to the Hispanic community because they are very family oriented and relationships are important.

"This became an opportunity for a fun, safe, family environment," Astorquiza said. "They could develop other relationships [with the sheriff's officers, financial institutions, health care organizations, etc.] that can improve their quality of life."

As part of the festival, the sheriff's office is partnering with the Victim's Advocate Division of the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office. Spanish-speaking personnel will be onsite.

"We know there are a number of Mexican nationals who are being victimized and not calling the police," Burton said. Many are afraid.

University of South Florida students will conduct a survey to learn how people found out about the festival and how they feel about law enforcement, he said.

"We will use that next year as to how we reach out to the community," Burton said.