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MUSCATINE, Iowa — Most police officers try to keep people from swiping things.

In Muscatine, things are a little different. Some officers here are hoping people swipe things — as long as those things are gift cards, cards that are being handed out by police officers to people pulled over during traffic stops.

Muscatine Police Department Sgt. David O'Connor dug into his own pocket to buy some gift cards that he's having his fellow officer pass out during traffic stops. He said he was inspired by the UP TV video of Officer Scot VanSolkema handing out presents instead of traffic violations in Lowell, Michigan.

VanSolkema would talk casually with the drivers about what was on their children's Christmas list that the parents couldn't afford, or what they needed for their home. Information was relayed to helpers who were already at a store where they bought, wrapped and delivered the gifts for VanSolkema to present to the drivers instead of the ticket – all in a roughly 15-minute time span. UP TV sponsored the gifts that were handed out.