Car Seat Question - Seatbelt vs. LATCH

So I decided to get my car seat professionally installed by a cute fireman. Hey, why not, right?

Anyway, I have the Graco SnugRide with EPS Foam or whatever, and the base is usable with seatbelts or LATCH. The LATCH system for my car (Neo the 2007 Toyota Matrix) has LATCH anchors properly spaced for the two outside rear seats (behind the driver and behind the passenger), but the anchors are improperly spaced for the rear center.

Cute Fireman and I had a discussion about which is better - using the LATCH system and installing the seat on one of the sides (thereby increasing risk in a side-impact collision), or using the seatbelt and installing the seat in the center. CF said that the seatbelt should not be any less safe than the LATCH system because the seatbelt has that funky locking mechanism. But I'll be honest, I've watched that sappy YouTube video about that kid in the booster seat too many times. (You know, once is too many.)

So... what do you think? Is LATCH safer than the seatbelt? Right now, CF has the car seat in the center with the seatbelt pulled and locked tightly, and it really does feel nice and snug and tight. And I do feel better having the seat in the middle for crash purposes. But I'm interested in your opinions.

Do you choose "LATCH on the side" or "Seatbelt in the center"?

[Poll #1006608]

Thanks!