Charlotte didn’t ask for drones buzzing over our neighborhoods — but they’re coming anyway. Walmart and DoorDash have launched drone deliveries across our city, dropping off groceries and takeout from 200 feet above our homes. They’re calling it innovation. Many of us are calling it an invasion.

We’re not against convenience — we’re against being left out of the conversation.

These drones are already zipping over South Charlotte, with more areas set to follow. The tech companies behind this say it’s the future of shopping. But what about the future of peace and quiet in our neighborhoods? What about the safety concerns, the job impacts, the wildlife disruption, and the long-term consequences of normalizing this kind of aerial traffic over our communities?

We’ve seen no local hearings, no public input, and no clear limits on where these drones can go or when. Families shouldn’t have to worry about drones waking their kids up at 2 a.m. or dropping food in their front yard like it’s a sci-fi experiment.

If Charlotte is going to be a testbed for this technology, the people who live here should get a say.

Join us in calling on the Charlotte City Council, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and local leaders to halt the expansion of drone delivery programs in Charlotte until there is meaningful public consultation, safety oversight, and noise impact analysis.

Let’s pause the drone rollout — and make sure our city’s future is shaped by the people who live in it.