‘Krispy Kreme Tuesdays’ car meet-up could draw thousands in Burbank

A car meet publicized on social media that has drawn thousands of car enthusiasts to the Burbank Empire Center in the past, creating mass congestion and havoc, may take place Tuesday for one last time.

Event organizers say pressure from police has forced them to cease any future meet-ups in Burbank. So Tuesday’s gathering could be the last in that city. They usually meet outside the Krispy Kreme doughnuts store in the shopping center.

‘One Last Time’>

“Due to the sad situation of how the general black and white car treat us [Krispy Kreme Tuesdays] has decided to give us a meet ONE LAST TIME until the long hiatus,” organizers wrote on Facebook. “Lets end it with a bang. Krispy Kreme Tuesdays is no longer just Burbank ITS SO-CAL.”

The meet-up started small, with about 16 cars meeting at the Empire Center in 2007, the event organizer said in June. But meet-ups eventually grew, drawing thousands of people and cars.

The location of Tuesday’s meet-up has yet to be determined by the organizer.

The event location will be posted 90 minutes before the meet’s 9:15 p.m. start time, according to the event page on Facebook.

Whether or not the meet-up occurs in Burbank, police say they are prepared.

Burbank police say officers will be “fully deployed” in the area to enforce all laws, including those involving illegal engine and vehicle modifications, the Burbank Leader reported.

“If they choose to come to Burbank, we’re going to be prepared,” said Burbank Police Sgt. Claudio Losacco.

In June, a meet-up was foiled after private security restricted drivers from entering parts of the shopping center’s parking lot, causing a nuisance to shoppers and commuters, as well as enthusiasts who had made the trip to Burbank from near and far to see cars.

The Empire Center said in a statement Monday it intends to take “identical” steps as it did in June to prevent the car meet from moving forward in Burbank

The Empire Center says attendees in the past have “trashed our center and our stores as well as surrounding neighborhoods and have engaged in unruly and illegal behavior.”

Tchekmedyian writes for Times Community News.

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