Long Beach may freeze out ice cream truck music

For years, residents in the mid-city area of Long Beach have complained about the tinny music that ice cream truck vendors play to attract customers.

Now, city leaders are taking up the cause.

The council will consider asking the city attorney Tuesday to draft an ordinance that would require ice cream trucks to abide by noise ordinances and prohibit them from playing their merry tunes while serving customers.

Councilman Dee Andrews requested the agenda item after receiving complaints from residents in his district, which includes the Sunrise, Whittier, Wrigley and South Wrigley neighborhoods, as well as Cambodia Town.

He said the ordinance would not impose limits on when or where ice cream truck operators can sell their frozen treats, although he said there have been times when vendors have sold ice cream as late as 9 p.m.

“I love ice cream, and I love ice cream trucks, but there’s a time and place for everything, and all I’m asking is for some common courtesy,” Andrews said. “Once you stop, please turn off the music and when you’re done selling, turn it on and keep going and let them know you’re coming.”

Sam Portillo said he moved into the Wrigley neighborhood area seven years ago. Since then, he said, the number of ice cream trucks selling in the neighborhood has climbed, adding to the noise that neighborhood residents are forced to hear.

“It has definitely affected my quality of life for years, and I am thankful that something is being proposed to address the problem,” Portillo said.

Deputy City Atty. Amy Webber told the Press-Telegram that cities such as Santa Ana, Fullerton and Anaheim have enacted similar laws restricting music from ice cream trucks.

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