Neighbors don't miss Jerramy

They paid $500,000 and more to live at Astoria at Meydenbauer, but there are times when some wonder if it's such a privilege.

One resident woke to find his deck splattered with vomit. Another found used condoms. Others told of being awakened at 3 a.m. by loud fights, or were startled by strangers who partook of their patios. And they have had it. The noise, the fear and the man behind it — fifth-floor resident Jerramy Stevens.

Last month, the Astoria condominium board sent the former Seattle Seahawk tight end a letter, calling him to a meeting this week to discuss the complaints against him. Be there, it warned, or risk legal action to push him out.

But since Stevens was cited Tuesday in Arizona on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana, Astoria board President Jay Kasin isn't sure Stevens will make it.

"If he does not show up, we will give him one more chance to respond," Kasin said.

That's far more consideration than Stevens has given his neighbors since moving in a few years ago, according to several residents.

He has parties that last all night. He has set off illegal fireworks from his deck, showering other units with debris. He takes up two spaces in a lot reserved for the building's retail shops. He gives the building security code to friends, who walk in at all hours.

"[Stevens] just seems to ignore authority," Kasin said. "I'm not bothered by him, but I do know a number of residents are afraid."

One said that if Stevens gets on the elevator, he will get off.

"It's not because he's black," said the resident, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation. "It's because he's a big guy and he has a terrible history and everybody knows it."

It wasn't that long ago that, after years of tracking his various misdeeds, I was open to the idea that Jerramy had grown up and straightened out.

But I spoke too soon. And to me and the folks who live with him, the Scottsdale arrest was simply overdue.

On Jan. 28, Astoria residents called police to report noise coming from Stevens' unit. The first call came in at 3:40 a.m. Yelling and screaming, the police log says. A fight between two males. Police arrived, but by then it was over, and, neighbors said, no one inside would answer the door.

Kasin knew all about it. The police have been called several times, he said, "but if they don't have a search warrant, they can't do anything."

The condo board has fined Stevens several times for rules violations at $500 a pop.

"But, you know, the guy's got a lot of money," Kasin said. "It's chump change to him."

Residents have considered asking for help from city officials, Kasin said. "We are officially trying to file a complaint," he said. "But I'm pretty sure it's hard to kick someone out of a place that they own."

Neighbors hope Stevens gets another job in another city. For now, his out-of-town jam is a blessing enough.

"He's been gone for a month now," one resident told me. "And it has been like a vacation for us."

Reach Nicole Brodeur at 206-464-2334 or nbrodeur@seattletimes.com.

She'll say it again: Call, Jerramy.