Criminal: "The Bus Ride" – Episode Summary
Podcast Information:
- Title: Criminal
- Host: Phoebe Judge
- Network: Vox Media Podcast Network
- Release Date: August 15, 2025
- Description: Criminal explores stories about people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or found themselves caught in the middle. In this episode, "The Bus Ride," Phoebe Judge delves into the harrowing tale of Jabbar Gibson during the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina.
1. Hurricane Katrina and Evacuation Challenges
The episode opens with a detailed account of Hurricane Katrina's impact on New Orleans. Joel Anderson sets the scene by recounting the city's frantic evacuation efforts:
Joel Anderson (01:20): "There wasn't an official evacuation order until August 28th, and that's when Katrina turned into a category five... the mayor issued the first ever mandatory evacuation order."
Despite these efforts, the sheer scale of the storm overwhelmed the city's infrastructure, leading to widespread chaos and a high number of stranded residents.
2. Focus on Fisher Housing Projects
Joel Anderson shifts focus to the Fisher Housing Projects, a densely populated public housing complex on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Here, most residents, including Jabbar Gibson, remained despite the impending disaster.
Joel Anderson (02:36): "Jabbar stayed and the majority of people at Fisher stayed... where are they going to evacuate to? Who has the money for a hotel?"
The lack of resources and evacuation options left these residents with little choice but to stay and weather the storm amidst deteriorating conditions.
3. Introducing Jabbar Gibson
Jabbar Gibson emerges as the central figure of the story. At 20 years old, Jabbar was already shouldering significant responsibilities:
Joel Anderson (06:10): "Jabbar regularly bought his brother and friends brand new pairs of shoes for their youth basketball games... he was sort of an adult figure in the house."
Jabbar's troubled past includes being a high school dropout and involvement in drug dealing, painting a picture of a young man striving to support his family under dire circumstances.
4. The Decision to Evacuate
As days passed without relief, the dire situation within the Fisher Projects became unbearable. With no food, water, or electricity, Jabbar and his friends realized the urgent need to act.
Joel Anderson (10:32): "They're sitting there in the fissure, a couple days later, and they realize... they've got to figure something out."
Jabbar's leadership qualities began to surface as he orchestrated attempts to secure transportation.
5. Stealing the School Bus
Jabbar's pivotal moment came when he decided to commandeer a school bus to evacuate himself and others:
Jabbar Gibson (11:59): "I decided right then and there that I was going to drive one of these buses, but I didn't know how."
After finding the keys and starting the bus, despite having no prior experience driving one, Jabbar took the initiative to lead a group of around 60 desperate residents.
Jabbar Gibson (15:12): "We got it done. Some people were scared. I didn't know if I can drive that bus."
6. The Chaotic Evacuation Journey
The journey to Houston was fraught with challenges. Traffic was gridlocked, and Jabbar found himself picking up additional passengers along the way out of compassion for those in need.
Jabbar Gibson (17:29): "Anyone that was on the side of the road, and they would flag me down, I stopped."
Resourcefulness became essential as Jabbar managed supplies and navigated the bus under immense pressure.
Joel Anderson (18:13): "He bought snacks and diapers. He thinks he spent about $1,200 during the trip."
7. Arrival at the Astrodome
After several hours, the bus reached the Reliance Center near the Astrodome in Houston. Initially met with skepticism, Jabbar and his passengers were eventually welcomed into the shelter.
Jabbar Gibson (23:45): "They let us in. We was the first, like 71 people there."
This arrival marked Jabbar's transition from a local leader to a national figure.
8. Media Portrayal as a Hero
The media swiftly spotlighted Jabbar Gibson, framing him as a grassroots hero who stepped up when official efforts faltered.
Joel Anderson (25:38): "The news media... created an elaborate, uncomplicated portrait of him as a hero."
His actions contrasted sharply with the perceived inaction of authorities, earning him widespread admiration despite his troubled past.
Times Picayune (26:30): "To some, he is a thug. But to the 60 people on the school bus he commandeered as Hurricane Katrina's floodwaters rose, Jabbar Gibson is nothing short of a hero."
9. Return to New Orleans and Legal Troubles
Despite the hero narrative, Jabbar's legal issues caught up with him. After a brief period in Texas, he returned to New Orleans, only to resume his previous activities.
Joel Anderson (28:01): "He got back into some of the things he'd been doing prior to the storm... arrested in November... sent to prison."
The juxtaposition of his heroic act with subsequent criminal behavior complicated his public image.
10. Reflection from Prison
Years later, from within the Federal Correctional Institution in Berlin, New Hampshire, a now 40-year-old Jabbar reflects on his past actions.
Phoebe Judge (31:00): "Do you sometimes think about being that 19-year-old driving that big school bus full of people?"
Jabbar Gibson (31:03): "Think about it all the time."
His story remains a poignant example of how context and circumstances can drastically alter one's legacy.
Conclusion
"The Bus Ride" episode of Criminal masterfully weaves a narrative that challenges listeners to consider the complexities of heroism, survival, and redemption. Through Jabbar Gibson's story, Phoebe Judge highlights the blurred lines between right and wrong in desperate times, leaving listeners to ponder the true nature of heroism.
Notable Quotes:
- Joel Anderson (02:36): "Where are they going to evacuate to? Who has the money for a hotel?"
- Jabbar Gibson (11:59): "I decided right then and there that I was going to drive one of these buses, but I didn't know how."
- Jabbar Gibson (15:12): "We got it done. Some people were scared. I didn't know if I can drive that bus."
- Joel Anderson (25:38): "The news media... created an elaborate, uncomplicated portrait of him as a hero."
- Jabbar Gibson (31:03): "Think about it all the time."
Additional Resources
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