The Bay Area has its very own caped crusader and he's not a crime fighter, but is keeping watch for trouble.

Petaluma may not be exactly Gotham City, but does have its very own superhero -- Petaluma Batman, who may just be the most popular guy in town.

Batman spoke with KTVU Friday and would not reveal his true identity, but he did say that he's a 20-year-old college student studying business. His real name is not Bruce Wayne and he is more mascot than crime fighter.

"Just trying to prove that anyone can be a hero and do something to entertain the community, even if it is dressing up like Batman," Petaluma Batman said.

He said it all started just before Christmas, when he created a Batman Facebook page for fun and then it caught on.

Then he pulled out an old Halloween mask and cape and began strolling the streets a few times a week.

The legend has grown. He now has almost 4,000 followers on Facebook and he may just be Petaluma's next teenage heartthrob.

Batman's parents just found out about all this a few days ago.

"My brother was looking at it on his computer, and my mother said 'who is that?' and he said 'That's your son,'" Batman said.

KTVU asked him if people in town thinks he's a bit batty.

"Petaluma kind of gets it," he said. "It's not supposed to be taken seriously."

"It's real positive," said James McDonald, a Petaluma resident. "That's what I love about it. He's just making everyone smile."

Batman said he is not sure how much longer he'll be roaming the streets of Petaluma, but he said as long as he's having fun, then why not.