MADISON, Wis. -- Some Madison businesses and city leaders might be looking to place a tighter grip on panhandling on State Street in the city's downtown.

On Sunday, Madison police marked a green square in spray paint on the sidewalk outside of Peace Park, denoting the only legal place for panhandlers to stand in the area. The box is 50 feet away from a newly installed ATM, in the front of the Subway store on one side of the park, and 30 feet from the entrance to a business on the other.

However, some are saying restricting panhandling hurts the homeless.

"Panhandling is some of the only resource that some of these guys have. It's the only way they can get funds," said Nate Abrams.

Once homeless, Abrams said he panhandled for change to get hot meals at times when they weren't available in shelters. He said he isn't happy with the idea that some leaders might look to move trash cans, recycling bins, planters or benches into the last remaining space available to panhandle in the area.

"It's really nothing more than a cosmetic solution to a more profound problem," said Abrams. "You push the homeless out the way, then you ain't got to see them."

Mark Sperry said he's been out of work for more than three months and panhandles just to get by. He said he feels his road home will get longer if he can't ask for spare change.

"If people don't have a place to make a little change, little extra here and there with the job situation the way it is, makes it pretty tough for people to make any money you know," Sperry said.