Actor Tylor Chase, known for playing Martin Qwerly on Nickelodeon’s Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, is currently living on the streets in California and has repeatedly refused assistance, according to the Riverside Police Department.
Authorities say Chase, 36, has long been known to officers, who continue outreach to connect him with housing, mental health, and substance abuse support. Police say Chase has repeatedly refused these options and chooses to remain unhoused.
“Officers know Chase and interact with him weekly,” said Ryan Railsback, spokesperson for the Riverside Police Department, to TMZ. The department’s outreach team regularly offers unhoused people resources for immediate and long-term needs.
The outreach program offers mental health assessments, substance abuse treatment, and temporary shelter. Officials say Chase has declined these services multiple times. “We’ve offered him countless options,” Railsback said. “Ultimately, it’s his choice.”
Police stress that Chase’s behavior has not raised safety concerns. Unlike some interactions, Railsback said Chase is consistently cooperative and respectful. “He’s always cordial,” Railsback said, adding that Chase is never aggressive.
Chase’s situation recently gained attention after viral videos showed him living on the street. Police said officers informed him about the videos, but he appeared unconcerned. Railsback said Chase “apparently has no issue” with them being shared.
Police say Chase is not wanted for any crimes and has not been arrested. They also confirmed they have not contacted Chase’s family about his situation.
The videos have raised concern among Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide fans. The show, which aired from 2004 to 2007, followed middle schoolers as they navigated adolescence. Chase played Martin Qwerly during all three seasons.
The renewed attention has prompted several former child actors and colleagues to step forward with offers of help. Among them is Shaun Weiss, known for his role as goalie Greg Goldberg in the The Mighty Ducks film franchise. Weiss, who has spoken publicly about his own recovery from addiction and experiences with homelessness, has offered Chase a path toward treatment.
Weiss said he secured a bed for Chase at a San Clemente recovery facility where he is affiliated. The offer includes detox and long-term treatment, but it is unclear if Chase will accept.
Mental health experts note that outreach is difficult when people decline help, even when resources are available. In California, agencies can only mandate treatment under specific legal criteria for involuntary intervention.
Police say Chase’s case highlights the challenge of offering help while respecting autonomy. “At the end of the day, it’s his decision,” Railsback said. “We can offer services, but can’t force him to accept.”
Chase’s case underscores a broader issue facing cities across California, where homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders often intersect. Outreach teams frequently encounter individuals who cycle between temporary engagement and refusal of services, particularly when trust has eroded or underlying mental health issues remain untreated.
While Chase’s future remains uncertain, police say outreach efforts will continue as long as he remains in the area. Officers say they will continue to offer resources and check in regularly, even if he continues to decline assistance.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, help is available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). For immediate mental health support, individuals can text STRENGTH to 741 741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
