VANCOUVER, Wash. -- A neighborhood watch group in Washington decided to take the neighborhood's safety to a whole new level by bringing in a portable watchtower.

Concerned neighbors have a new tool to help fight crime in neighborhoods. It's called Skywatch.

Vancouver police are training people to protect their neighborhoods using a mobile tower.

It can be set up anywhere and provide a bird's eye view to any neighborhood or parking lot.

Neighborhood volunteers who are on watch are training to use the machine.

They said they hope it scares away criminals.

"If we spot a few guys trying to break into cars then we can have police catch them before they vacate. That's a big accomplishment to me," volunteer Joanita Munoz said.

The tower is equipped with bulletproof windows and a surveillance camera.

Volunteers who use it will be able to spot crime and then call police for help if they need it.

The Skywatch tower will be used in areas where there has been a spike in crime or areas where they hope to deter it.

Portable Neighborhood Watch Tower Unveiled