There's a creepy ice cream man driving in my subdivision

[slo]

For the last couple of weeks we have this creepy ice cream man that keeps driving around my subdivison. Twice we purchased ice cream from him, but I recently told my 5yr old DD that we would never purchase ice cream from him again.

He drives a beat-up van and plays his music excessively loud. He comes to the subdivison approx. at 4pm everyday and stays until 8:00pm. I'm sorry.....4 hours driving around our subdivision is just odd. Especially when there are several subdivisions in our town.

I told my DH that he is really creeping me out and I almost feel like he is studying the comings and goings of the people in my neighborhood. Or worse yet........checking the comings and goings of the children in our neighborhood.

Do you all think I am being paranoid? Or do you think I have a very valid point?

 

[Pop Daddy]

I think your right, I wouldnt let your kids near the man, allways trust your gut feeling

 

[oogieboogie]

We have 3 ice cream trucks coming every day during the summer. Once they've gone down our street they don't come back until the next day.

4hrs is really suspicious in my book. I would keep track of when he's there, how many days he's there, write it all down - name of ice cream company, truck license plate, description of man.

If the behavior continues for days (say a week) I would call the cops just so they can come out and investigate.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

Sister SLO .......As my sister in FireWifedom I urge you to have your DH mention something to a cop he knows . If he is up to no good he will get the hint to move on because they will pratrol after your DH tell the times to his cop friends .

 

[Celluloidgal]

There used to be a time when we would say "Bye" to our moms and head out for the day. Only returning to fill our bellies.

Times have changed.

If you got that "creepy" feeling. Go with your instinct. Keep you kids away. Have some special (Blue Bunny has Disney themed) ice cream in your freezer. Only get it out when you hear the ice cream man.

We have some scary looking ice cream men around here too! More often than not, they are some guys, making a living...but you can never know. It is quite common for peds to condition the kids. They are bringing ice cream...mom & dad get it with them...then, one day, he has a special treat for "jimmy" (because of course he knows his name now) in the back of the truck...
it's not worth the chance IMHO.

 

[mickeyfan1]

He sounds creepy to me, too. I would call the police non emergency line and see if they would have a officer stop by. Does your town require licensing for vendors like that? Does he have ligit advertising for his product or is ir posterboard? You know, there are times you should go with your gut, and this is one of them. My car broke down one morning on the way to work. It was on old Caddy, I was in my own neighborhood, but not on my street. The neighborhood watch called the cops to check me out. So do it, call the cops. WHat's the worst thing that can happen, the guy won't sell any more ice cream on your street? It seems odd that he spends so long there, maybe he's a realtor in disguise looking for properties? Ha ha, just kidding.

 

[trishy]

I would report him - just to be on the safe side. Never know if he'll want to show little Suzy or Johnny his special Big Stick. Could be a perv. Could be looking for drug buyers. Could be looking for his next job.

 

[slo]

Originally posted by Mad4Mickey
Sister SLO .......As my sister in FireWifedom I urge you to have your DH mention something to a cop he knows . If he is up to no good he will get the hint to move on because they will pratrol after your DH tell the times to his cop friends .

Thanks for bringing this up!!

I thought of this and I was afraid that the police in our town would think I am being paranoid. I will have to mention this to DH and have him do this - afterall......he sees the police in town several times a day.

I have another question........Do people that sell ice cream have to have a business license to do business in the town they are in? If so....do they have to have several licenses to sell ice cream in several towns (one for each town)? I don't know if anybody can answer this, but if you can please do.

Thanks and hey Mad4Mickey - talk to you soon on the "calling all firemans wives" thread

 

[oogieboogie]

In our city you have to have a vending license to be able to sell ice cream from a truck. The license must be prominently posted inside the truck where it would be visible from the outside.

 

[AllyBri]

Or do you think I have a very valid point? [/B][/QUOTE]


You sure do. Always go with your instincts.

 

[Keli]

It does sound strange because there is no way the guy is selling enough ice cream in one neighborhood to warrant a four hour visit daily.

 

[slo]

Originally posted by Keli
It does sound strange because there is no way the guy is selling enough ice cream in one neighborhood to warrant a four hour visit daily.

Not only that.........it hasn't even been that warm outside. We've had a couple of nice day, but today it was 59 degrees outside.

I am so glad you all feel the same way as me - now I know that I am not being irrational.

 

[chager]

We have three different trucks that go through ours almost every day. One is the old ice cream looking truck with all the ice cream truck designs on it, one is a conversion van with magnetic signs on the doors, and one is an old converted work truck (very scarey looking). The thing is they all go so fast that by the time you even realize they are coming they have past you by. We had this happen so many times the first year we were here that we now just go to the store and buy the goodies we want. I refuse to buy from a beat up converted van anyway. Also the drivers are really CREEPY looking. We did use to buy from one guy that came around in a very nice and CLEAN ice cream truck. He was friendly and CLEAN looking and drove REALLY SLOW. Evidently he isn't doing it anymore or he has found a more profitable area because he hasn't been around for 2 years now.
I agree that their is no reason for one truck to stay in the same area for that long. Sounds to me like he is interested in other things besides ice cream.

 

[mamamia]

I would report it.

I took out the name of our school, but here is a notice we just got:


"A police complaint was filed against the driver of an ice cream truck in the community for taking unauthorized photographs. The 1st Precinct has issued a formal warning to the driver to immediately cease taking pictures. In addition the driver will no longer work in the community. Parents are encouraged to remind their children to report any suspicious behavior to them immediately so that appropriate action can be taken."

 

[HollyJoy]

I think that's a bit creepy too.... 4 hours of soliciting in the neighborhood? Very strange. You may want to call the police and report the activity.

 

[FroggyinArk]

would definately report him, i used to date the dd of a guy who owned an ice cream compny, his drivers were all required to follow a city wide map that had them on 2 diff routes , alternating, (he had 2 trucks in each of 5 towns) that way it was a diff driver each day in each street, also, there was never any return to the same street more than one trip a day. and they had to stay close to a time table,, during the really hot days that wasnt a big thing,, he was understanding about gettting busy and or having to go back to storage and refill trucks. this guy would often have his wife, dd, me, or even himself, position ourselves aloong the routes at random and observe the drivers and at his company i t only took one complaint to have a driver reassigned to a diff town. all of his trucks had the office phone number, and liscense numer painted onto the truck and the drivers name was stenciled under the sales window, along with trucknumber. so if it looks querstionable, spends very much time in an area, and if they sell items that are not specialty, but rather the same treats you can get at the store only, check for a "not for individual resale" line on the treats,, thats a big clue they arent legit too.. a real ice cream guy would have access to a better selection or would have one specific brand and they would be labeled differently. So please for the sake of children all over your town,,,, get the guy checked out.

 

[LanaJayne]

I would definately report him. Also, get his picture and if possible do not let him know which house you live in.

Please do not hesitate to report him. It is so scary to think that kids are home without parental supervision and that a possible preditor is finding out kids routines.

Thank you for your concern and vigilence.
"It takes a village..."

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Originally posted by slo
Not only that.........it hasn't even been that warm outside. We've had a couple of nice day, but today it was 59 degrees outside.

I am so glad you all feel the same way as me - now I know that I am not being irrational.

I would personally stay very far away from this man. If my gut were telling me there was something wrong with that pictue (and it is!), I wouldn't even touch the ice cream...who knows what he may have done to it?