Miami Beach Police Briefly Close Entrances to the City

Miami Beach Police today briefly blocked all entrances to the City when a large group of ATV riders attempted to drive from the City of Miami onto the Beach. The number was estimated to be around 200 in reports from the Miami Beach Crime Prevention and Awareness Group.
 
As the ATV route was tracked, police moved to block the eastbound MacArthur, Julia Tuttle and Venetian Causeways around 4 pm. They also closed Collins Avenue at 87^th Street. The Crime Group reports indicated North Bay Village was also closed at Treasure Drive. (
 
As we reported earlier this month, police chiefs from municipalities across Miami-Dade County met to discuss strategy to address the more frequent large group of motorcycle and ATV riders that create safety issues when they weave in and out of traffic, often speeding and performing tricks. 

MBPD spokesman Ernesto Reodriguez provided RE:MiamiBeach with a simple statement: “In an effort to limit the interaction between motorists and the reckless actions of the motorcycle group, traffic was temporarily restricted on each of the entrances to Miami Beach this afternoon.”
 
According to the crime group reports, entrances were reopened on a rolling basis as the ATVs moved north. The entire incident lasted about a half hour total on the Beach.
 
Photo top: Traffic cam on Miami side of Julia Tuttle Causeway during the shutdown. From Miami Beach Crime Prevention and Awareness Group.