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.
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.
