The Silent Ice Cream Trucks

Children living in Long Beach, California may have to keep their eyes peeled for ice cream trucks so they won’t miss them when they roll by. Typically, ice cream trucks grab children’s attention by playing cheerful, upbeat tunes as they mosey through the neighborhood. For Long Beach ice cream vendors, their tunes may be a luxury of the past.

Turns out, city residents have been complaining about ice cream trucks and would like city to crack down on the noise pollution produced by them. Now, we know what you’re thinking, “Why would anyone get upset over ice cream truck music?” Well, it’s not just one. One Long Beach truck vendor noted that sometimes he sees three to four trucks parked in the same neighborhood or on the same street all playing their “ice scream, you scream,” songs. Knowing this, we can understand the city residents’ frustration. They’re demanding something be done and the city councilman finds himself stuck in the middle of it all.

Residents aren’t asking that ice cream trucks turn off their music for good. They’re just asking that they simply turn off the tunes when they are idling or parked outside residential areas. This sounds like a fair enough request; however, ice cream truck vendors are concerned. They’re worried that turning their music off will harm business. How? They rely on the music to attract children when they’re parked in neighborhoods and along quiet streets. They’re concerned that the customers won’t come if they don’t hear the music. They’re afraid that children will hear the music initially but will think the truck drove off once the music stops.

We hope the city of Long Beach can find a solution that benefits all parties. While music from multiple ice cream trucks can be annoying, we would hate to see any ice cream vendor suffer.

What do you think?