power piracy
[ˈpaʊər ˈpaɪrəsi]
nounpl: power piracies
pirataria de energia elétrica
1. The illegal tapping into or theft of electrical power from utility lines or power supplies, often by unauthorized connections or meter tampering
The city has been losing millions in revenue due to widespread power piracy in low-income neighborhoods.
A cidade tem perdido milhões em receita devido à pirataria de energia elétrica generalizada em bairros de baixa renda.
2. Unauthorized use of electrical power by bypassing official metering systems or connections
Investigators discovered an elaborate power piracy scheme involving dozens of households.
Investigadores descobriram um sofisticado esquema de pirataria de energia envolvendo dezenas de residências.
Power piracy is a significant problem in Brazil, particularly in favelas and low-income neighborhoods where it represents both an economic survival strategy and a major revenue loss for utilities. The phenomenon is colloquially known as 'gato' (cat) in São Paulo, possibly derived from the idea of an animal stealing silently. In the USA, it's less common but still occurs in certain communities. The issue intersects with socioeconomic inequality, urban planning, and energy access debates in both countries.
NYC Slang
stealing power / stealing juice
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