Some SW Redmond residents voice concern about possible crime in neighborhoods

(Update: Adding video, comments from woman who heard gunshots)

'People like us do own firearms, and we do have children, we do have property -- so we will protect what we have'

REDMOND, Ore., (KTVZ) -- Several Redmond residents, mostly in the southwest part of the city, have posted notes on the Nextdoor website in recent days regarding suspicious, possibly criminal activity in their neighborhoods.

Several people have come forward to say that people are knocking on their doors and windows in the middle of the night. Others say they've heard gunshots.

Redmond police were contacted about the issues. However, since no one was identified, they have no leads.

One family who lives off of Highway 126 says they heard several gunshots Tuesday night around 10:15 p.m.

Merilee Gage Schaffner says if this keeps happening, she's worried that residents could take the law into their own hands.

"Homeowners are going to start taking control of it themselves, and someone is going to get hurt," she told NewsChannel 21. "I hope it's not young kids."

"But when someone is outside your window at dark, you're not going to stop it, check and say, 'Hey, how old are you? Can I see your ID?' -- .you're going to shoot."

Gage Schaffner says her family will resort to vigilante protection, if they have to.

"And people like us do own firearms, and we do have children, we do have property -- so we will protect what we have," she said.

Their property is five acres deep. Gage Schaffner says the gunshots were so clear, she could tell it was an automatic weapon.

"I could tell it had to have been some type of AR, some type of automatic rifle, because it started going really fast," she said.

Redmond Police say to call the non-emergency dispatch number immediately if something like this happens.

They encourage community members to stay in a safe place, but to be good witnesses, meaning to observe every detail you can.