Editor,

There are many generous, charitable folks in Coupeville, but that does not mean they deserve to have their hard-earned money taken from them by deception.

As I have chatted with friends and neighbors, a pattern of deception in our community has emerged that has been going on for at least two years, or since the Arts and Crafts Festival of 2012 and maybe before.

Individuals are being approached by a middle aged, slim blonde woman — not a lady — and after a smile and friendly hello, she starts telling a story about how she has just been reunited with her children from Child Protective Services after a long time and they just need a few dollars to get back home. Home, she tells people, is either on the mainland or across the mountains.

It seems there are no laws against panhandling on Whidbey Island unless they are aggressive and threatening. Therefore, when she is contacted, the only thing security personnel can do is ask her to leave the area.

I am certainly not averse to charity and gifts from the heart being given to those who have had difficulties in life. We all need a supportive hand from time to time, emotional and even financial.

However, honesty is the key here. Lying about your circumstances to take money deceptively from kind folks is just wrong.

Don’t be taken in by this woman.

Jack and Sue Tingstad

Coupeville