South Florida police ready for reckless ‘Wheels Up, Guns Down’ riders

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Florida. – Police in Miami-Dade and Broward counties are on high alert before the annual “Wheels Up, Guns Down” race.

Every year, motorcyclists and motorcyclists illegally leave the streets and highways of South Florida for the Martin Luther King Jr. day weekend. The “Wheels Up, Guns Down” event on Monday is intended for cyclists only.

Broward sheriff Gregory Tony said his agency will be prepared and “will be conducting a zero tolerance operation, as this event is not sanctioned, it is illegal and it is a threat to public security”.

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

“When we carry out our traffic violations, we always find a weapon here and, therefore, there is some hypocrisy around these activities, not only in the way they should honor Dr. Martin Luther King, but in the name they named their own event “, he said.

In recent years, videos of motorcyclists provoking fewer police officers have gone viral on social media.

“It is useless to run away from us because with the amount of aircraft and resources we have in the sky, you will not escape,” Major Robert Chandler said on Thursday during a news conference in Broward.

Chandler also advised other drivers not to get involved with the drivers. “We know where these groups are, we are going to take care of that – please don’t solve the problem with your own hands,” said Chandler.

Miami-Dade police also gave a press conference on Thursday with the Florida Highway Patrol and said that officers tow dozens of ATVs and dirt bikes every year.

“Getting a ticket or getting arrested and having your vehicle seized is expensive and is not a way to enjoy a holiday weekend,” said a police officer.

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

Florida law also requires ATV passengers to wear high boots, eye protection and a safety helmet.

“We are going to do a high-visibility patrol and do the surveillance,” said Miami-Dade police director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez.