Police have arrested four elderly men for solicitation since October, three of them in their 80s. (CBC)

The arrest of four elderly men for solicitation has raised eyebrows in a southern Alberta city that recently decided to name the accused clients of prostitutes.

Lethbridge police Chief Tom McKenzie is defending the policy to name those accused of soliciting sex on the streets, calling it a return to old-fashioned community policing.

"Families are outraged that we would release the names of their loved ones, but they are involved in an illegal activity," he said. "We gave plenty of warning. We let everyone in the public know and in a small community everyone was well aware that the police were going to start naming people."

Four seniors, three in their 80s, have been arrested since the policy began last October. One of the men had a court appearance scheduled Wednesday morning.

At the Lethbridge Seniors Centre, executive director Rob Miyashiro said he can understand their predicament.

"People's libido does not really change much as they age. You know, men are men. Right?"

Ken David, a 72-year-old playing pool in the centre on Tuesday, agreed.

"They got needs, healthy needs. They are red-blooded Canadians," he said, laughing.

Down the hall, Shirley Houtekamer, who was making jewelry with a group of women, was less forgiving.

"They were silly buggers. Anybody that age is silly to go out on the street looking for a prostitute, let me tell you," she said.

McKenzie said he isn't surprised that his officers are arresting seniors in their efforts to be tough on johns.

"It reaches across all demographics. It reaches across all age groups. It is the oldest profession. It's been here since the beginning of time," he said.

Lethbridge has a population of 77,000. Police in Calgary, the largest nearby city, do not name people accused of soliciting prostitutes.