Several Richardson homeowners are raising concerns about the volume and frequency of Amazon Prime Air drones flying over their neighborhoods since the local delivery hub opened in December 2025.
Scott Bratcher, a resident living less than half a mile from the facility, described the constant overhead activity as disruptive. He noted that flights occur throughout the day, with particularly heavy traffic on weekends. To monitor the situation, Bratcher and other neighbors have purchased antennas to track drone movements in real time.
Another resident, Scott Ricamore, observed that flight paths create uneven impacts across the community. He described what he called "drone highways," noting that some homes experience hundreds of daily flights while nearby properties see none. Ricamore stated that the city has a duty to protect residents' quality of life as families are affected by the expanding service.
Amazon disputes the severity of the complaints. The company stated that ground noise is minimal and short-lived, comparing it to a passing car. Amazon added that fewer than one percent of customer service inquiries regarding Prime Air involve noise issues. The firm also highlighted that it has received overwhelmingly positive feedback about the program.
Richardson Mayor Pro Tem Ken Hutchenrider echoed the assessment that the sound is brief when drones pass overhead. City officials have addressed these concerns at public meetings and established a resource page for residents to submit complaints to both Amazon and the Federal Aviation Administration.