Police Seize 72 Enthusiast Vehicles for Cruising in the Famous LA River

      Screenshot

      CBS Los Angeles

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      In a situation that feels more like “Instagram messes everything up,” a large group of modified cars and some motorcycles were impounded for driving in the LA River this week. The footage from the news helicopter resembles a scene from Midnight Club 2.

      Even if you've never set foot in California, you likely recognize this location from films and video games—this iconic concrete half-pipe has served as a backdrop for automotive antics since John Travolta was dancing on car roofs.

      “The rules are, there ain’t no rules!” - Grease

      Off the top of my head, aside from Grease, this site (or at least a version of it) appears in Gone in 60 Seconds, Midnight Club, and Grand Theft Auto V.

      To my knowledge, it has never been lawful to drive there—but it has historically been quite accessible. As recently as 2021, when I was living in Culver City, there was a well-known access point where one could quickly enter the river, snap a few photos, and then leave before attracting any attention. Not that I would engage in such activities.

      The reason for the gathering, which is now making headlines, was supposedly some kind of social media-orchestrated “massive photoshoot,” rather than a street race or takeover, according to those interviewed by local news as their vehicles were being impounded.

      The conspiracy theorist in me wonders whether this whole event was secretly arranged by the police to execute a big, flashy bust and rake in thousands of dollars from car impound fees. However, it’s also plausible that a large group of over 70 brightly colored cars was simply spotted by a passing helicopter and was too noticeable to overlook.

      I feel somewhat sorry for the drivers now facing hefty fees and legal issues, but at the same time, come on, folks. The vibe from those interviewed on the scene was “we didn’t know it was illegal to be down there,” and “the no-trespassing sign was small.” Sure, everyone in LA has seen pictures of someone they know hanging out down there with their car—swinging by for a quick photo in the past felt like going just a little over the speed limit. It’s technically wrong, but generally accepted by the community.

      However, driving down there with a full traffic jam of loud cars? That clearly invites trouble in a pretty obvious way.

      It's likely that the old spot will soon be sealed off. However, a better solution might be to establish a toll booth; the city could potentially profit from charging people for the opportunity to take photos of their cars in that rather unappealing river.

      Here's the footage from the incident:

      Dozens of sports cars towed from LA River in Cypress Park

      

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