SOLON, Ohio -- A deer dispute is Solon is a growing problem facing many cities and towns in northeast Ohio, NewsChannel5 reported.

While most agree the deer population is increasing, there is widespread disagreement on how to deal with the problem.

SLIDESHOW: Solon Deer Problem

Solon officials have voted to use sharpshooters to thin the deer population with a team of sharpshooters positioned in tree stands throughout the city. About 600 deer will be killed as part of the plan.

Many Solon residents are opposed to the idea and about 100 of them show up to protest the plan.

Marina Corleto worries about the safety of pets and children.

"There are sharpshooters in our neighborhoods right now too close to homes. It's a safety hazard. We don't want to see any animals or people or animals get hurt," said Corletto.

Iris Gregg, another protester, said, "I want them to stop the killing, and I want them to research a more effective way of handling this problem."

WEWS reported protesters, armed with signs, packed last night's city council meeting.

Solon's police chief agreed with city council's plan to hire sharpshooters because he said the city is plagued with deer-car collisions.

"I do not want to be the person to go to a residents house and say a deer went through the windshield of your husband or wife's car and they're no longer with us," Chief Wayne Godzich.

Two years ago, there were nearly 200 car-deer accidents in Solon.

So far, about 200 deer have been killed by sharpshooters since the program started last week.

Protestors are now considering a lawsuit to stop the shooting.