Newport July 4 Celebrations Mostly Incident Free

NEWPORT, RI—This year's Independence Day celebrations in Newport were marked by large crowds that were very well behaved.

In prior years, Newport police have arrested scores of people for an array of reasons on July 4, ranging from public drinking and urination to assault and disorderly conduct.

This year, Newport police issued just two citations all night in direct relation to Independence Day festivities.

Steven M. Brownell Jr., 31, of 15 Florence Ave., Newport, was cited for public urination early Tuesday morning at around 1:29 a.m. Police said that an officer saw him urinating across the street from Studio 3 on Pehlam Street.

Brownell was cited at the scene and will appear in Municipal Court on Aug. 1. Police said he was apologetic and very cooperative and respectful for the duration of his encounter with police.

A few hours earlier, police cited Jessica Verissimo, 30, of New Bedford, MA, for public drinking after an officer saw her with an open beer.

Police said Verissimo was seen holding the beer on Thames Street. The beer was emptied and she will appear in municipal court on Aug. 1.

It's believed that the relatively incident-free July 4 stemmed from the holiday occurring on a Monday.

Newport Police Sgt. Corey Huck said that it's likely that most people were tired by the end of the long weekend, which was marked by sunny, warm weather that packed local beaches and businesses.