NBC boosts security at ‘Today’ studio after string of incidents: Report
The new measures come after an intruder allegedly breached security in July and confronted a co-host outside the studio.
( NewsNation ) — NBC has increased security at the “ Today ” show’s Manhattan studio following several incidents, including an encounter involving a co-host and the unsolved abduction of co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother from her Arizona home.
Page Six first reported the changes, citing unnamed insiders who said the safety updates were long overdue but have made staffers feel safer.
“It was much needed and took longer than people would have liked, but it does feel a lot better now,” one insider told the outlet.
Another source said “Today” staffers have been willing to follow the new protocols, despite the added security measures being more burdensome. NBC has not publicly detailed all of the new security measures.
The changes follow a July incident in which police arrested an intruder who allegedly accessed a secure area near the “Today” studio.
Later that month, Variety obtained an internal memo outlining some of the planned changes. NBC sources confirmed the memo was authentic.
One change limits guests to two accompanying people, including stylists, publicists, social media aides and other support personnel.
The July incident involved 41-year-old Andrew Truelove , who allegedly slipped past security and entered an area outside the “Today” studio. According to police, Truelove confronted Craig Melvin and asked where he could find Al Roker before allegedly directing a racial slur at Melvin.
Melvin alerted security, and Truelove was arrested. A security guard was reportedly fired following the incident.
Truelove faces charges including felony burglary and misdemeanor menacing in connection with the incident.
Court records show a man with the same name and age also has other pending cases in New York, including allegations involving an assault, trespassing and reckless endangerment on the city’s transit system as well as a 12-count criminal mischief indictment from last year.
The security changes come months after Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, was abducted from her home in Tucson, Ariz., on Feb. 1. She has not been found.
While the incidents are separate, the combination of the unsolved abduction and multiple security breaches has heightened concerns among “Today” staffers.
The latest changes at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Center are intended to strengthen security for employees, guests and visitors to the studio.
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