After Hours Issue With Ice Cream Truck

It's rare that something as innocent as an ice cream truck could incite suspicion, but when it's slowly cruising around your local elementary school at 10 p.m., an hour when no school-age child should be out waiting with money in hand for a Rocket Pop, it certainly puts things in a different light.

And that's how North Bellmore resident Christine Trenkle felt recently when confronted with that very scenario.

Trenkle, who lives near Dinkelmeyer Elementary, has been aware of the security issues surrounding the schools in North Bellmore; they are popular hangouts for teen trespassers who often leave vandalism in their wake.

That, combined with the bad vibe she was getting off of the strange new Twistee Freeze truck visiting her block, were enough to send her over the edge.

"My husband and I have been aware of vandalism and other problems at the schools, so we try to keep an eye out," she said. "On occasion we've even called the police because of things going on in the Dinkelmeyer schoolyard."

"My 9-year-old noticed the 'late' ice cream truck," Trenkle continued. "There are other ice cream trucks in our area that usually come before 8. The truck that I'm questioning is new, and comes between 9 and 10 p.m., when it is fully dark. He always goes through the bus circle at Dinkelmeyer Elementary - if the playground is closed at dark, why is he doing this? And who is he selling ice cream to at this hour?"

Trenkle's gut feeling was with merit. According to Nassau County Press Secretary Mike Martino, ice cream trucks can only operate between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., a rule enforced by police.

Toni Cincotta, assistant superintendent of business for the North Bellmore School District, stated that they're aware of the security problems plaguing their schools.

"The officials are only there during school time," she said. "So it's important for parents call when they see something."

"We work very closely with the POP [Problem Oriented Police] officers," Cincotta added. "They have assured us that, whenever possible, patrol cars will fill out their paperwork while sitting in our parking lots. Also, we're planning a community anti-vandalism campaign to be held in September."

Not willing to wait for the school or police to do something, Trenkle's husband, Bob, recently confronted the mysterious Twistee Freeze driver.

"I reminded him that he's not supposed to come around after 9 p.m.," he said. "I told him if he came late again, I was calling the police. The driver had no response and drove away, rather quickly I might add."

The truck as not been seen in the neighborhood since.

Patch contacted Lenny of Lenny's Twistee Freeze, the company that handles the leasing of Twistee Freeze trucks for the Long Island area.  

"This is not something I approve of," he said. "Usually the truck goes somewhere if there's kids or adults around, but there's no need to go to a closed-down school at 10 o'clock at night. It states in each driver's contract that they're responsible for getting all the local vending and health permits and act in accordance with local regulations."

"I would like to know who that was," Lenny added, referring to the unknown driver.

Cincotta expressed the hope for a safer future as a result of the September anti-vandalism meeting. Invitations are going out to the police, PTA, local legislators, senators and their component districts. Cincotta hopes all will attend.

"Hopefully this campaign will draw people together to work toward getting the problem under control," she said.