Car meet in Burbank puts police on alert

Police will be beefing up their presence at the Empire Center Tuesday, as car enthusiasts are expected to flood the parking lot for the “Krispy Kreme” car meet, which has in the past attracted hundreds of people — and their custom cars — via social media.

“We are aware of it,” said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn. “We have the resources available to address any traffic or criminal issues that arise.”

The man behind the event, who declined to identify himself, said the meet is a peaceful gathering for enthusiasts to show off their cars without having to worry about street racing or thieves.

“For that night, it’s a good boost in the local economy,” he said.

During the last meet in November, the event snarled traffic around the Empire Center. It took police until nearly midnight to disperse the crowd, which at one point was estimated at 1,000 people.

The event organizer said he has hosted about half a dozen meets since 2007, and gets the word out through social media “when I feel that the car scene demands it,” he said.

The “Krispy Kreme Tuesdays” Facebook page has amassed nearly 9,000 “likes.”

“I don’t like doing it too often because I know it does cause a little bit of trouble for the city,” he said.

While the event is set for 9 p.m., car enthusiasts — many from out of town — start gathering in the lot as early as 3 p.m., the event organizer said.

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Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.

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