When fighting crime, who better to turn to than the Caped Crusader?

It was question on many minds Thurday night as the Dark Knight Rises premiered at the Reading Movies 11 & IMAX.

And in the streets of Reading, where authorities are fighting crime, drugs and violence, some say the city could use a real-life Batman.

"They need a couple of Batmans so he can be in different places," Manuel Rivera said.

"We need Batman over here and we need more cops in the city, because it's messed up," Hector Gabriel said.

So far in 2012, Reading has already registered 13 homicides.

This past weekend there were two shootings within 24 hours.

Gerald Mayl, an artist in Reading, said having a real-life Batman in the city is a critical issue.

"It is serious in this sense: they need a Batman to show these kids that there's more to this life than what they're living," Mayl said.

Reading's mayor, Vaughn Spencer, says he is ready to answer the call of duty.

"Every city needs a Batman," Spencer said. "I'm going to be the city's Batman, and maybe I'll have to get an outfit."

Wednesday mayor Spencer called a news conference to address the rash of violence in the city.

He indicated if he's going to come to the rescue, he needs the public's help.

"We need to stop pointing the finger at particular entities saying they should be doing more. What are you doing to help solve the problem?" Spencer asked.

So as many enjoyed the premiere of the Dark Knight Rises, at least they don't have worry that the legend will go away when the movie is over.

"That's right," Spencer said. "I'm the Dark Knight."

The mayor said he plans to arrange a crime summit in the future, and ask state and federal authorities for resources in order to combat the city's crime problem.