'Batman' says he is doing public service

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PETOSKEY, Mich., Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Michigan's "Petoskey Batman," facing a felony count of resisting and obstructing police, says "it's not up to the government to save us."

Mark Wayne Williams, 33, of Petoskey, who faces a felony count of resisting and obstructing police in an investigation, after Michigan State Police said he refused to clear the scene of an investigation Sept. 29 while wearing his Batman costume, said he acts as the "Petoskey Batman" to perform a public service and keep an eye on the community, the Petoskey News-Review reported Tuesday.

"I don't want to be a police officer. I think what police officers do is great, but it's up to each person to take a stand and do something to make things better," Williams said. "A lot of times, what I've seen from situations I've been in, people see something going on and think the police will handle it, but if nobody calls the police or takes a stand, it's not going to help.

"Dressing up in my costume, as Batman, is my way of saying that it's not up to the government to save us," he said.

State Police Sgt. Jeff Gorno said troopers found Williams in costume when arrived at the scene of a personal injury accident where the driver had left the scene Sept. 29. He said Williams refused to clear the scene and interfered with the investigation.

Williams was previously arrested in costume in May 2011 when he was found on the roof of a downtown Petoskey business with a baton-type striking weapon, a can of chemical irritant spray and a pair of sand-filled gloves.