Our latest Santa Monica Pulse poll asked residents to weigh in on some recent decisions from the City Council, as well as the city’s current downturn in tourism.

In November, voters passed measure PSK, which allocated half of the increased revenues from the city’s Parking Facility Tax Measure to be spent on enhancing public safety, including filling five positions on the city’s police force. Funding is going toward public safety, however the City Council’s recent budget has cut these five new hires.

When asked if they supported or opposed the Council’s decision to cut these five police hires, 82 percent said they did not support this decision. About 12 percent supported it, and another six percent wanted more information.

Santa Monica saw a nine percent drop in domestic visitors from 2023 to 2024. When asked what was most responsible for the decline, almost 70 percent said it was due to public safety and homelessness concerns. Thirteen percent said it was city policies and leadership, and about three percent said it was a lack of appealing attractions, with another three percent citing nationally rising travel costs. Eleven percent submitted a personal response. Of these, the majority mentioned crime, homelessness, and overdevelopment.

The City’s new weekend “entertainment zone” has reportedly succeeded in increasing the number of visitors to the Third Street Promenade, with no reported safety concerns. The zone allows patrons to purchase alcoholic beverages and consume them on the street (within a specific zone).

When asked if they support continuing this program as part of a way to invigorate Santa Monica’s economy, 31 percent said yes, while 52 percent said no. 16 percent wanted more information. Notably, this support is up from last month – before the EZ went into effect – when we asked residents a similar question. In May, only 28 percent were in favor, noting it would bolster local business, while 66 percent were not in favor. 

The movement month over month suggests now that the EZ has launched, opposition against it is waning.