There was an article in the past few months (or maybe longer, if it was a reading assignment) about one homeless man in NYC that had a yearly tradition of putti

There was an article in the past few months (or maybe longer, if it was a reading assignment) about one homeless man in NYC that had a yearly tradition of putting on his nicest coat, going to a fancy restaurant and eating a large meal, and then saying he couldn't pay. He would then go to jail for the winter. He cost the city upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars. So yes, it happens, and yes, it is far more expensive than simply providing the necessary social services to begin with.