South Florida Law Enforcement Ready For Reckless ‘Wheels Up, Guns Down’ Riders

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Florida – Law enforcement in Miami-Dade and Broward counties is on high alert ahead of the annual Wheels Up, Guns Down tour.

Every year, ATV and motocross motorcyclists illegally roam the streets and highways of South Florida for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend. Monday’s “Wheels Up, Guns Down” event is intended for cyclists only.

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said his agency would be ready and “conduct a zero tolerance operation because this event is not sanctioned, it is illegal and poses a threat to public safety.”

Tony, however, said he was not convinced by what organizers claimed was the purpose of the race.

“When we carry out our traffic violations we always find a gun here, and therefore, there is a certain hypocrisy around these activities, not only in the way they are supposed to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, but in the name in which they titled their own event, ”he said.

In recent years, videos of cyclists mocking more and more police officers have gone viral on social media.

“There is no point in running away from us because with the number of planes and assets we have in the sky, you are not going to escape,” Major FHP Robert Chandler told a press conference on Thursday. at Broward.

Chandler also advised other drivers not to engage with runners. “We know where these groups are, we’re going to take care of them – please don’t take it in hand,” Chandler said.

Miami-Dade Police also held a press conference Thursday with the Florida Highway Patrol and said officers tow dozens of ATVs and dirt bikes each year.

“Getting a ticket or stopped and having your vehicle impounded is expensive and no way to enjoy a vacation weekend,” said one soldier.

In 2008, a new law required motorcyclists to “keep both wheels on the ground at all times”.

Florida law also requires ATV riders to wear waders, goggles, and a hard hat.

“We’re going to do a high-visibility patrol and we’re going to do enforcement,” Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez said.