Mount Vernon police officers are being lauded for sensible policing in dealing with a homeless man accused of stealing some socks this weekend at a Dollar Tree store.

Officers Christopher Cartwright and Jason Velez responded to the Fulton Street store's call to report the man on Saturday.

Instead of arresting the man, body cam footage shows Cartwright offering to buy the man the socks - as well as warning to never steal again.

"What are you trying to get today, some socks? All right, I'll tell you what. I'll buy you a couple pairs of socks, but you have to stop stealing. Fair enough?"

Cartwright bought the man several pairs of socks and gave him a list of services in the area available to him.

The man thanked the officers and went on his way.