LGBT community shares crime concerns with police

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Crime concerns in the Montrose area -- Houston's police chief got an earful about the challenges faced by gay and lesbians in the area.

A hate crime left John E. Gaspari scarred for life.

"They got out of the car and three guys rushed me, yelled get the fag, and tackled me to the ground and started kicking and punching me -- hot me in the stomach and shot me in the back," he recalled.

It's been two months since the attack and Gaspari is encouraging police to do more.

Gasparii and others in the LGBT community got the chance to take their concerns straight to Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland and other officers at a panel discussion with a variety of topics, such as police sensitivity training when it comes to transgender men and women.