-from newday.com-

CORAM, N.Y. (AP) _ Four men who propositioned a female police officer posing as a prostitute have been arrested, police said Thursday.

The undercover operation was conducted Wednesday to address quality of life crimes in Coram, which has a population of about 34,000 people, Suffolk County police said.

The undercover officer was propositioned for various sex acts by the men, who ranged in age from 38 to 59. The men were charged with patronizing a prostitute.

In August, Suffolk officials arrested 20 men in a sting in neighboring Bay Shore. Police spokesman Robert Boden said such operations are frequent in the county.

“It’s the oldest profession in the world; it goes on everywhere,” he said. “But it’s a quality of life issue. It wrecks neighborhoods, so we have to watch out for it.”