Do you agree with the current trend to ban ice cream trucks from residential neighborhoods?

I hadn't heard of any such trend...any existing "disturbing the peace"-type noise ordinances should suffice if they're coming round at night and being obnoxiously loud. Overall, I think that the tendency of some people who want to legislate everything is ludicrous.

Buying food from some stranger in a truck is no different than buying food from some stranger in a building.

Ice-cream trucks were a wonderful, happy part of my childhood and it saddens my greatly to hear that they are being banned.
One of the coolest things was that my dog used to howl when she heard the ice-cream truck music, very funny!

I'm not so paranoid as to never buy food from street vendors, but I would want to be careful. I really hate the "music" they play, You can hear it 6 blocks away. arg! *** Well, the truck might not have been there yesterday, and might not be there tomorrow, but a building doesn't move. It's much easier to catch a meanie simply by looking at the lease. Also, I don't know how to tell if a food vendor is licensed, do you? The difference between the corner store and an ice cream truck is that the truck isn't restricted to being in commercially zoned areas, and the store doesn't have wicked loud annoying noise coming out of it. I'm not supporting the trend, these are the issues that were brought up by the folks on NPR and their interview-ees.*** Sure, but if they had a bogus license, or it were missing, very few people (and no children) would notice. I notice the plaque in elevators that says that it's been inspected, but I rarely notice when it's missing. A sign that said "license on file at whereever" (the way many elevators do) most people would take that as truth, without checking it.

What kind of a ridiculous idea is this?? I think they're licensed as food vendors, right? How are they any different than a corner store?

Milktree: Every vendor has to display his license :) I see them all the time.

If they don't have a valid license, that's a licensing issue. If someone breaks the law, you shouldn't make another law to do more things to them for breaking an existing law. Just prosecute the law breakers!!

I didn't know there was a trend to ban them. Ice cream trucks are cool. Fondest memories of my youth deal with the summers and the ice cream man coming by. I wouldn't want to see my daughter deprived of that.

Is this a current trend? Where? I've never heard of it before now...

People would hate them less if they got better music.

I certainly hate the jingle, but I don't think they should be banned. Maybe I'd feel differently if I had kids; what a good thing that I'm never likely to find out.

The ice cream truck in my neighborhood plays "Helter Skelter"... -- Steven Wright --

I've seen too many children rush into the street when they see and hear the ice cream truck. They are so excited that they don't remember to 'look both ways.' I have been very frightened many times when this has happened.

While the music is really annoying -- I used to call the local truck the Insanemobile -- it's idiotic to ban them. Regulation? Sure -- there should be regulation on anything that sells food, be it a restaurant, a sidewalk "smog dog" stand, or the Insanemobile. But outright banning? Someone needs to extricate the broomstick from their backside.

I tried unsuccessfully to convince my son that the ICE CREAM man was a STRANGER...for several years I lived with the fear that some popscile-pushing pervert would pull him in the van and I'd never see him again. Of course, I never let him race after the ice cream van ... so those fears were never realized. I DO NOT think there should be a ban. ***sheesh, reality ... you have children?? ... careful != paranoid

Ah, I love to be living in these times. everyone is so paranoid. you don't want some stranger to come along and tempt your child with ice cream and take them away.. whee.... I don't think that there is anything wrong with it. if you are worried, then don't let your child go to the truck or better yet, stand and watch the truck. sheesh. **as for licensing, most stuff from the trucks is prepackaged, not much to worry about. regarding the kids running out into the street, if the music is that loud, then the drivers should be able to hear it, and if they in a neighborhood with children, they should be on guard anyways. ***Resy nope, I hope to one day (and yes I know that scares some of you). I fully expect to remain as paranoid as I am now. I was more commenting on the fact that it is a sign of our times that something like this is considered common enough that it is an issue. 15 years ago you were told not to talk to strangers, don't take candy from stangers etc. but I don't think people disappeared enough to make it this huge of a concern. you need to be paranoid. There is a definate problem with our society.

I can't imagine a child growing up without an ice cream truck. It is one of my fondest memories.

banning ice cream trucks? how horrible!

I cream maaan... ring your BEL!

I didn't know ice cream trucks were being banned from residential neighborhoods. I have no problem telling my kids when they can and cannot have treats, including when there's an ice cream truck nearby. However, it is unsolicited sales encroaching my home (well, neighborhood). Is this legislation we are talking about here? If so, I would say no, it ought not be legislated.

how can they get rid of ice cream trucks that's like destroying summer

and speaking of the jingle, just how did "the entertainer" become the standard ice cream rallying call? does the scott joplin estate get royalties?

When I was a kid, I used to have this lamp with a little spinning carousel on it that would play music. It sounded astonishingly like the ice cream truck if placed near my sister's door. Fooled her with that several times.... :)

I didn't even know they were doing this. Why can't people just deal with their kids instead of trying to make the government deal with them for them?

*** gilly - but it's such awful ice cream usually :(

The ice cream truck was a big part of my childhood. I'd be sad if they were gone ...

When ice cream trucks are outlawed. . . .
NYBookworm: Destroying summer. . that's a snappy idea! (thinks of working on his Jadis, the White Witch role)

One of my favorite things about being a grown-up is being able to buy ice cream from the ice cream truck whenever I want.

***romkey - I know, but there's just something about that melted-plastic-in-cardboard experience of a nutty buddy that I love. Sick, I know.

Ice cream trucks are cool. It's funny to watch when they drive by because you can see this stream of little kids running after them.