NEWARK — It's made of thick, black rubber. It weighs 40 pounds, but that doesn't stop Genaro Ortiz, Jr. from putting it on — he's got a job to do.

For two decades the veteran detective has suited up as "Batman" teaching inner city children about safety and to trust police officers. He say it's his personal mission to show the youngsters that officers are not people to fear, but people to turn to when danger knocks.

And if words don't work, he always has the costume and the "Batmobile," his personal Camaro that's tricked out with cameras, lights and a "Batphone."

"Kids had seen cops but this was something different," said Ortiz, a Newark native, adding that the idea to tour schools giving Halloween safety tips was birthed after a "Batman" movie was released in theaters. "Something they would remember. Some kids are afraid of police offices but everybody loves 'Batman.'"

A masked Ortiz and his "Batmobile" were on full display today at a National Police Week event in Washington Park. And as passerbys snapped pictures and shook his hand, Ortiz talked about how his little Halloween safety chats expanded into presentations -- sometimes to two or three schools in a day — about bullying, strangers, 911, gangs, drugs and bicycle safety.

And there's even a little magic show. Ortiz said he uses a set of rings to show kids how following the wrong crowd can "get you caught" and make difficult to escape.

Passerby Caled Odestin, 34, of Newark, snaps a picture of Ortiz during a National Police Week event today in Washington Park.

"This sticks in their mind," said Ortiz of his costume and tricks. And he doesn't mind that kids don't remember his real name — he answers to "Batman."

Sgt. Louis Cancel, who supervises Newark Police Department's community affairs division, said Ortiz gets calls from all over the state and even puts in time when he's off duty to be the caped crusader.

"They know he's a police officer and they look up to him," said Cancel. "(He tries) to make them feel comfortable around people instead of fearing police."

One 34-year-old Newark resident, Caled Odestin, stopped in the middle of the Police Week event at Washington Park to snap a picture of Ortiz. Odestin said his four children — ages 5, 6, 7 and 11 — are going to love seeing a "Batman" roaming the Brick City streets.

"I tell them if they're ever in trouble, they need to know that they can go to the authorities," he said. "And this shows them that law enforcement is here for you."

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