Permissions "public" folder Laravel

So I have the following folder organization in my Laravel project:

• public
  • user_images
  • group_images
  • img
  • css
  • vendor
  • etc ...

So my problem is, when a user uploads an image e move it to the folder user_image and then I use the Intervention Image to make it smaller so I use Image::make(#folder) and then Resize it and at last I save it. But to do that the folder user_image needs special permissions, with chmod 777 i can make it work, but I think it's a security breach if I leave the folder with 777 permissions.

Should I leave the folder with 777 permissions or shouldn't? Why?

Thanks.

via Chebli Mohamed