By JOHN HOWELL

As a patrolman in the early 2000s, Major Andrew Sullivan remembers being on the beat in Oakland Beach on the Fourth of July.

“It was like every street, every house,” he said of the plethora of fireworks. From Sullivan’s perspective, Warwick independence celebrations have quieted down a bit. That’s not the way others see it.

Mayor Frank Picozzi said Tuesday he heard lots of complaints over the persistent aerial displays and firecrackers, especially from people who own dogs that were quivering in fear.

Sullivan said over the holiday weekend, police received 54 complaints mostly over the illegal use of fireworks. He said the calls were “triaged” with calls concerning domestic violence, driving under the influence and fights taking prescient. That meant some complaints over fireworks were not answered for an hour or more. By that time, the fireworks had stopped. In other instances when fireworks are still being launched, Sullivan said it’s difficult to identify precisely where they are coming from.

Two men, Dennis Sanford, 44, of Providence and Warren Sanford, 46, of Cranston were arrested Monday night about 10:15 at Conimicut Point after police and fire responded to a call about a fire. Sullivan said the use of fireworks was responsible for starting a brush fire on the north side of the point.  The men were charged with the possession of aerial consumer fireworks, a misdemeanor.

John Rappa, who visited Oakland Beach Monday evening, was troubled by the quantity of vehicles ticketed. He thought being Independence Day that police should have been more lenient and given a break to people who have already spent gas money to join the celebration and enjoy Oakland Beach.

Sullivan said over the weekend the department issued 50 parking citations. He said many were issued for parking at the Oakland Beach boat ramp area. He said none of the citations were for parking in the beach parking lot without a seasonal pass. Citations were issued for parking in a no-parking area and blocking driveways.