Mantua Township residents raise concerns over Amazon's planned drone delivery service

MANTUA TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- Amazon's plan to launch same-day drone delivery in Mantua Township this October, with an expansion to nearly 500 cities and towns, is drawing mixed reactions from residents and local officials.

Amazon says the Prime Air drones would deliver packages within 30 minutes to an hour, flying from a facility on Mantua Grove Road in West Deptford. The company says the devices will operate within a 7.5-mile radius and carry items weighing five pounds or less.

"I'm for it. Why wouldn't you do it? I mean, save time, save money, drop it right in the yard. I'll take it. Why not?" said Greg Winner of Wenonah.

Amazon said in a statement, "We are currently working with local officials and exploring opportunities to expand our fast, reliable drone delivery service to reach customers in areas across the country."

But many residents say they're not convinced.

"I don't like it at all. I think it's going to mess up and it also takes away from jobs," said Jaime Alexander of Mantua Township.

Customers would need to use Amazon's app to confirm drop-off locations. Some residents worry drones could miss their targets, pointing to a Texas incident where a package landed in a backyard pool.

"What if that was an electronic?" Alexander said. "They deliver a lot of food and stuff, so there goes your food. There goes your order."

Mantua Township police say the drones would operate from 15 minutes before sunrise until 15 minutes after sunset, flying below 400 feet. Noise is another concern.

"It doesn't sound very necessary to me considering I order a package and it shows up within the same day. Definitely concerned about noise," said Gabriel Blotta of Mantua Township.

Amazon says the sound level during dropoff is lower than an idling truck and lasts about 30 seconds.

Privacy questions have also surfaced. Amazon says the drone's cameras and sensors are used only for navigation and obstacle detection, not for tracking people or recording movements.

"There's cameras everywhere; you're already recorded," Winner said. "I understand it's on your personal property; that's kind of an issue if they do that, but if they say they're not doing it, fine. I'm OK with it."

Some residents are calling for government intervention before the service launches.

"We need oversight of this process," said Elizabeth Flynn of Pitman. "We cannot just be told by Amazon that they are going to unleash a fleet of package drones over our houses and we're just going to have to deal with it."

Flynn has created a petition seeking transparency and a public hearing. The mayor said in a social media post that while residents may support or oppose drone delivery, he has no authority over Amazon's decision.