Burbank Police To Beef Up Patrols For Tuesday's Massive Gathering Of Custom Car Enthusiasts

BURBANK (CBSLA.com) — Police are concerned about what they're referring to as a flash mob of custom car enthusiasts slated to take over the Burbank Empire Center Tuesday night.

The group has the right to peaceably assemble, but officials are worried the gathering will get out of hand.

Burbank police were caught off-guard at the last car meet-up in 2013, when 3,500 people and 1,100 vehicles shut down the plaza and clogged streets.

Officers closed freeway off-ramps. They also issued more than 100 citations for vehicle code and moving violations.

Organizer Jeremy Lee told CBS2/KCAL9's Laurie Perez that police shouldn't lump them in with street racers.

He's expecting thousands of vehicles and 4,000 people, who Lee says want nothing more than to admire cool cars.

Some businesses have expressed concerns about the crowds. Krispy Kreme management says the donut shop will be closed that night.