Holy Hero, Batman!

It’s not easy—or cheap—being a superhero. Just ask Newark police detective Genaro Ortiz Jr., who for eighteen years has donned a Batman suit to speak in front of schools and community groups about issues like Halloween street safety.

Posted September 14, 2009 by Jennifer V. Hughes

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Newark Police Detective Genaro Ortiz Jr., has donned a Batman suit for 18 years to speak in front of schools and community groups.

Courtesy of Detective Ortiz.

Kids go wild when Ortiz roars up in his customized black Camaro and steps out of its gull-wing doors. He makes about 200 appearances each year on behalf of the police department at holiday and block parties, and police and charity events.

A lifelong Newark resident, Ortiz, 45, has made Batman an obsession—right down to his Batman-themed e-mail and the hold music on his phone. Ortiz estimates he has spent about $4,000 on the costume and $35,000 to trick out his Batmobile (which he drives for personal use) with rims, lights, airbrushed details, and BATMAN vanity plates.

Naturally, Ortiz has to keep current on his comic-book alter ego. “Kids test you,” he says. “They ask, ‘If you’re really Batman, what is your butler’s name?’” (Answer: Alfred Pennyworth.)

Gotham’s Batman saves the city from the Joker; Newark’s Batman teaches kids to fight drugs and gangs (Pow!) and to wear their seatbelts (Zap!). Ortiz, who grew up on the Adam West TV version of the comic-book character, says Batman is a special kind of superhero.

“Batman did not have any powers,” Ortiz says. “It was all education and training.”

For more stories about: Newark, Batman, Ortiz Jr., Genaro

Comments

Batman

I believe that the work that Detective Ortiz, Jr. is doing for the community is outstanding. I have witnessed first hand his interactions with the youth (and some adults) during his community outreach and he was well received. Keep up the great work!!

Posted by: Ms. Brown, Newark, NJ | May 18, 2010 16:52:21 PM |

Appearance at our school

Please contact me via my email to arrange an appearance at one of our school events We are rehabilitating our school and think you talking to the children about safety would be great. Hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,
Betsy Rosario

Posted by: Betsy Rosario, Bayonne, New Jersey | Nov 16, 2010 02:39:27 AM |

Appearance at our school

Posted by: Betsy Rosario, Bayonne, New Jersey | Nov 16, 2010 02:39:32 AM |

Crime.

Newark has batman and crime still the same?? It’s clear that Batman isn’t doing good job..Batman you can’t work by your self, contact the Justice League. They will help us.

Posted by: Dan, Newar, NJ | Nov 26, 2010 13:09:02 PM |

Batman Appearance

I run a cub scout den. How can I get Batman to appear to talk to the kids?

Posted by: Paul, Bordentown, NJ | Oct 04, 2011 16:02:31 PM |