36 Towed In Bizarre Tradition Over MLK Weekend

MIAMI — Despite repeated warnings ahead of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, police towed 36 off-road vehicles and dirt bikes this year in Miami-Dade County after drivers took to public highways and roadways in a continuation of a bizarre local tradition that has gone on for years.

Police have a no-chase policy regarding the annual event to prevent high-speed chases that could result in even more injuries. The riders know about this policy and take advantage of it, according to local law enforcement officials.

Here is how this year compared to last year in Miami-Dade County as of Tuesday morning, according to Detective Argemis Colome of the Miami-Dade Police Department:

• Felony Arrests - 11 felony arrests, up to from 9 last year
• Misdemeanor arrests - 5 up from 3
• Traffic arrests - 14 up from 2
• Firearms seized - 2 down from 4 last year.
• Vehicles impounded - 36 impounded vehicles compared to 34 in 2019.
• Traffic citations 44 up from 17

In 2018, Miami-Dade police impounded 72 vehicles, twice as many as this year.

In Broward County, officials reported a total of 14 arrests as of Monday. Another 16 vehicles were impounded and 18 criminal citations were issued while one gun was seized, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Police say the off-road vehicles are not meant to be ridden on highways and that the drivers often engage in dangerous behavior.