Some South Austin parents have asked the city to take action against homeless panhandlers they claim place children in danger on the way to school.

Travis High School is near the intersection of Oltorf and Interstate 35, where panhandlers hang out on a daily basis.

Parents and other local residents protested their presence Wednesday by handing out flyers to drivers, asking them not to give money to the panhandlers.

The protestors are concerned about the children who cross the intersection. They say it's not safe because panhandlers make cat calls to them, fight and use foul language.

"It's right along the path of schools. Our goal is to be out here this week before school starts to get the transients to know we're going to be here and to get the drivers to understand and also to create awareness," said Clare Fleming, concerned parent.

Panhandlers who spoke with KVUE News paint a different picture of the situation.

"They're using this school zone deal as a deal against panhandling, and I've never seen any of these people out here, and I've been coming up here for two or three years right here on this corner, and I've never seen any of these guys approach any of these kids. Never. It doesn't happen," said James Woolaver, panhandler. "The kids approach them more than they do them. I've been standing on the corner holding a sign, and I've had kids approach me trying to sell me drugs."

A letter from the Austin City Manager's Office says that non-aggressive panhandling is legal in Austin.

Protestors plan on demonstrating at the intersection for the rest of the week and the first few days of school next week.