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YORK COUNTY, N.C. – The Web site Craigslist.com is back in the news as law enforcement officers police the internet to crack down on problem crimes. A task force in York County used the advertising site to attract would-be prostitutes and pimps.

Task force members called up advertisements and worked with a Comfort Inn owner to arrest one man and three women in the crackdown.

Lt. Mike Ligon, with the York County Sheriff’s Office, said while Craigslist helped them catch some criminals, it’s also helping to make illegal activity easier.

“All you’ve got to do is call them and say, ‘I’m in hotel such-and-such, in room number whatever,’ and they’ll show up at your door,” Ligon said.

The South Carolina Attorney General threatened to prosecute Craigslist executives in these types of cases. But a federal court order said that, at least for now, he can’t.

York County officers said they hope Craigslist executives listen.

“We’re trying to send a message to Craigslist,” Ligon said. “This is what’s going on. It needs to be fixed.”

Craigslist executives did not return phone calls about the case.

The owner of the Comfort Inn said he’s always willing to help law enforcement crack down on criminals and that his hotel is not a haven for prostitutes.