Irvine police set up 'pumpkin pie checkpoint' ahead of Thanksgiving

IRVINE, Calif. (KABC) -- Irvine police officers are out in force this long holiday weekend, but it's not what you might think.

Officers have set up a "pumpkin pie checkpoint" as a way to show gratitude to citizens ahead of Thanksgiving.

It certainly had some motorists confused, then surprised, but most of all, happy.

"My name's Officer Smith with the Irvine Police Department," one officer said as he approached a vehicle.

"License?" the driver responded.

"No, no, no. I wanted to offer you this pie for your Thanksgiving dinner for your family," said Smith.

And the pumpkin pie patrol wasn't just confined to the roadway, they pulled over some walkers too.

"We're out here for the holiday of Thanksgiving saying thank you to our citizens," one officer said.

The cops said they have plenty to be thankful for and they made sure their partners at Hoag Hospital and Care Ambulance Service knew they couldn't do their job without them.