SUMMERDALE — Summerdale Police has put a plan in motion to curtail crime in the community. That plan involves an overhaul of American RV Park.

“They will close by the end of the month and immediately re-open to accommodate age 55 and older tenants on Dec. 1st,” Summerdale Police Chief Eddie Ingram said.

The move, which was made at the request of the Summerdale Police Department, was spurred by a spate of criminal activity tied to the park, which is located on Alabama Highway 59.

“We have had numerous individuals charged with drug crimes, child endangerment, theft and burglary that have lived in the park during the past 16 months,” Ingram said. “Also we have arrested several individuals there who have had outstanding warrants on them.”

As previously reported, one of the most recent cases was last month when Summerdale Police responded to a child-welfare case. Upon arriving to investigate, officers found no children present. Instead, they came upon a padlocked trailer with two men inside. When Summerdale police released the men, who were reportedly unaware of the situation, they found evidence of a meth lab and arrested the two men.

However, residents at the park have been victims, as well. The most recent case was on Nov. 7 when five bikes, ranging in value of from $50 to $1,300 each, were reported stolen from the premises.

Neither Summerdale municipal representatives nor the owners of American RV Park could be reached by press time to offer insight into the park’s change to a seniors-only park. However, Foley Community Development Director Miriam Boutwell said that in the Forward City, such designation and related regulation doesn’t come from the municipality.

“That designation would be established by the owner or developer,” she said. “It would be similar to a private restrictive covenant which would be part of the lease or purchase agreements for the site.”

Ingram anticipates that once American RV Park begins catering only to senior citizens, Summerdale crime would be significantly reduced.

“It should be a very positive step for the Town of Summerdale,” the police chief said.