Assuming an AC system (unlikely) there is one other problem with the original posters story. North America uses 60 hz AC for its electric power grid. AC = Alternating Current, meaning the voltage isn’t steady but fluctuates from 0 to positive to 0 to negative to 0 and repeats. 60 hz means this cycle happens 60 times a second. This means that a light bulb powered off AC doesn’t stay constantly lit, it actually flashes on and off 60 times a second. Now Europe uses 50 hz AC, their light bulbs flash on and of 50 times a second, which is slow enough that some people can actually notice it. 25 hz is half that, which means that light bulbs on 25 hz would flash on and of 25 times a second, a rate that would be VERY noticeable, and drive people crazy. So to the original poster, no, your family and neighbors were not pulling power out of the trolley wile, they are just pulling your leg!