On Monday, those looking to beat the heat at Cominicut Point were greeted with windy weather and a cool breeze. But, shortly after Noon, the serenity was interrupted by flashing red and blue lights and a ringing alarm.

The alarm — which went live last Saturday — seeks to improve the safety of the beach which has been the site of multiple drownings. Mayor Frank Picozzi announced the warning system last July, including a demonstration of a prototype at a press conference.

“We did extensive testing last year, and it was the end of the season,” Picozzi said.

As warm weather — including this week’s heat wave — caused residents to flock to the Point, the City turned the system on.

The sandbar is well-known to be dangerous among Warwick residents. But, those who are unfamiliar with the sandbar may not know of the rip currents and the changing tides. First responders are called almost weekly to the point.

The system was announced two weeks after 28-year-old Nicolette Biber drowned during a night swim at the Point. Cominicut has been a site of multiple drownings, including Valentin Cardona Sanchez who died trying to save 10-year-old Yoskarly Martinez, who also passed away, in 2021.

In August 2023, the families of Cardona Sanchez and Yoskarly Martinez sued the City for negligence, alleging that the City did not properly warn beachgoers of the danger of the sandbar.

But, the alarm did not move beachgoers this Monday. Fishermen and others walking the sandbar stayed put, while the speaker warned of dangerous conditions in three languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese.

“At least it makes you aware,” said DJ Burns, who was on the sandbar when the alarm went off. However, the alarm doesn’t ensure people heed the warnings, she added, referencing the ten others who remained on the sandbar as the lights flashed.

Bob Larabee, who was visiting the Point for the first time this season, did not notice the warning system when he arrived only seeing the signs erected last year warning of drowning hazards. But hearing the system “justified the expense,” Larabee said. The alarm system cost less than $1,000.

The system was designed with low cost in mind, using spare police lights and speakers. Additionally, the system leverages the same service used to schedule the bells in Warwick schools. Previously, in 2016, the Conimicut Village Association did not install a warning system after learning it would cost an estimated $50,000.

New signage accompanies the old warnings, instructing visitors to stay off the sandbar when the lights are flashing. “The tide is quickly rising,” the sign titled “FLASHING LIGHTS INDICATES DANGER” reads.

“The sandbar will disappear and conditions will rapidly become extremely dangerous,” it continues. “Please stay off the sandbar.”

Multiple visitors noted the dangers of the sandbar and recent drownings, adding that they were glad the City was attempting to help improve safety.

“Everybody is thrilled that we have finally done it,” according to Leslie Derrig, president of the Conimicut Village Association.

But, not everyone will heed the system’s warning.

“I don’t know what we could do to get people to understand the full danger,” Derrig said. “You can’t fix stupid.”

“Even if you put up littering signs, people are still going to litter,” she added, likening the alarm system to other warning signs. “How do you solve that problem?”

Nevertheless, she said that the system is a “great tool for people who aren’t familiar” with the Point.