Deputies warn community ahead of annual ‘Wheels Up, Guns Down’ event on MLK Day
South Florida will most likely soon be flooded with hundreds of ATVs and dirt bikes illegally taking to the streets as part of the well-known Wheels Up, Guns Down movement celebrating peace on MLK Day, which is on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office has already released its stern annual warning ahead of the event and emphasized one clear message: driving an ATV or dirt bike on the street will result in punishment.
“As we head into the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, I want to remind everyone that it is a time honor Dr. King’s legacy and to do so responsibly,” said Miami-Dade Sheriff Detective Joseph Peguero in a video posted to the agency’s social-media platforms on Thursday.
The sheriff’s office reminded the community that off-road vehicles are prohibited on streets, highways and public roads.
“There will be no tolerance for individuals who disrupt traffic or endanger others,” the sheriff’s office said. “Your safety is our number one priority.”
The event was informally begun to promote peace while denouncing gun violence. However, over the last several years it has frequently ended in mass arrests.
In 2024, more than 150 people were arrested, over 600 citations were issued, about 80 vehicles were impounded and 20 stolen vehicles were recovered.
READ MORE: Miami-Dade MLK weekend crackdown on ATV, dirt bike riders nearly doubles 2023 arrests
Street takeovers in the past have sprawled throughout Miami-Dade County, including onto the Florida Turnpike and highways, while causing major traffic delays and near-miss crashes.
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