Since 2009, the operators have avoided fines of nearly $4.5 Million.
The city has taken 46 ice cream trucks, in a move that is sure to anger many children across New York City. This is not a modern-day version of The Grinch, where a frozen food snob is going to ruin summer. Operation Meltdown is the city’s attempt to curb ice cream truck operators that have “consistently violated traffic safety rules and evaded nearly $45,000 in fines since 2009.” According to a press release from New York City’s mayor,
These allegations suggest a complex scheme that is poised to be adapted by Hollywood in the same way as Ford and Ferrari. The city claims that these ice cream truck owners went to great lengths not to be held responsible for numerous violations, including running red lights, blocking pedestrian crosswalks and parking near fire stations. According to the city, 22,000 summonses were issued for violations between 2009 and 2017. To avoid being held responsible, the owners created “shell” companies in order to avoid the Department of Finance’s enforcement efforts.
According to allegations, the ice cream truck owners reregistered their trucks under the names of different shell companies to the Department of Motor Vehicles of the State of New York. The department tried to collect the debts using traditional methods, but the department discovered that many of these operators didn’t have bank accounts. These companies were not found by the department, so the department tried to track them down.
The city is currently targeting those with $10,000 or more in unpaid fines or judgments. This means that there are likely to be more ice cream truck operators who have avoided accountability for traffic violations. It feels like Footloose, where an old curmudgeon bans all ice cream. This isn’t a vendetta against rock music and dancing – it’s about holding people responsible for their actions. This is a civil matter, but criminal charges could be brought later.