South Florida officials vow stepped up traffic enforcement for MLK weekend, 'Wheels Up, Guns Down' event
FORT LAUDERDALE - While many people will be enjoying the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, law enforcement in South Florida won't be having the day off.
They will be out in force and patrolling the roads as they expect hundreds of people to take part in "Wheels Up, Guns Down" rides.
During a news conference Friday afternoon, Miami-Dade Director Freddy Ramirez asked participants in the event to observe the laws of the road.
"Let's honor the memory and legacy of Dr. King with honor and respect," he said. "We are asking those who ride these vehicles to be respectful."
The annual event started as a way to honor a slain biker in Philadelphia and In recent years, it's become a dangerous display of riders doing stunts and racing on South Florida streets.
Miami-Dade police, the Broward Sheriff's Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, and other local law enforcement agencies said they will not tolerate any ATV or dirt bike riders who ride in a reckless manner, block traffic, ride against it, pop wheelies, or ride on sidewalks. It's become an annual problem in South Florida.
They have plans to shut down reckless riders when they are spotted.
"We will be out in full force throughout the holiday weekend," FHP Lt. Alejandro Camacho said during the Friday news conference. "Troopers will provide highly visible presence on highways to deter reckless behavior."
"BSO wants to remind the participants in this activity that their actions are illegal and there will be consequences for those who participate. Individuals could be arrested, face citations and could have their dirt bikes or ATV's impounded," said Broward Sheriff's Office spokesman Carey Codd in a statement.
If you find yourself in traffic while these daredevils and reckless riders are driving by, come to a stop and let them pass you or pull off to the side of the road.
Law enforcement officers will be staged throughout Miami-Dade and Broward to catch the reckless riders. They will also use helicopters and airplanes to monitor the roads from overhead. The Florida Highway Patrol plans to block some entry and exit points on the highways to prevent riders from having access.
Police urge the public to say something if they see something suspicious.