Custom car aficionados' Calif. meet-up causes traffic snarls

BURBANK, Calif., Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Custom car aficionados crammed approximately 1,000 cars and 3,000 people into a "Krispy Kreme" loud-but-peaceful meet-up in California, participants said.

The flashmob took place -- for the last time, said its organizer, who declined to be identified -- Tuesday in Burbank's Empire Center outside the Krispy Kreme shop. The event is organized via social media and is not affiliated with Krispy Kreme, the (Burbank, Calif.) Leader reported.

No arrests were reported and crowds were expected to thin out, said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

Police closed the parking lot to cars earlier in the evening, and shut down surrounding streets because of traffic congestion and told drivers to avoid the area.

Approximately 25 Burbank, Glendale and San Marino officers patrolled the area, partly because a similar meet in November 2012 caused traffic jams, the Leader reported.

Zach Lamb, 31, of San Bernardino arrived at the meet-up at 3 p.m. to get a parking spot in front of Krispy Kreme. He said in November, it took him four hours merely to exit the highway.

"We're not here to cause a problem, do burn outs or cause a scene. We're just here to relax and see all the cars," he said.

"You see low riders here, you see classic cars here, you see imports, you see domestics. Southern California has a car culture that you can't find in any other city because our personalities are reflected in our cars more in Los Angeles than any other city," said Danny Meijer, 35, of Alhambra.