By Jorge Casuso

October 7, 2024 -- A monthly poll of Santa Monica residents concerned with crime found that about half support the two pro-law enforcement incumbents, while many still remain undecided.

The Santa Monica Pulse poll of some 100 residents also found nearly unanimous opposition to a countywide ballot measure that would raise LA County's sales tax to help combat homelessness.

The survey, taken via text between September 3 and October 4, asked residents to weigh in on the hotly contested November 5 race for four seats on the seven-member City Council.

Mayor Phil Brock was the top pick, with 50 percent of respondents saying they would vote for him if the election were held tomorrow, with 49 percent backing Councilmember Oscar de la Torre.

Fellow slate members Vivian Roknian and John Putnam, two local business owners running for the first time, were chosen by 33 percent and 30 percent of respondents respectively.

The opposing candidates backed by Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR), the Local Democratic Club and the hotel workers union all received less than 7 percent support.

That was down from a similar poll conducted two years ago when candidates supported by Santa Monica's political establishment received between 13 and 20 percent support.

The Santa Monica Pulse poll also found that 96 percent would not support a ballot measure to raise LA County's sales tax -- already among the highest in the nation -- to tackle the County' homeless growing homeless problem.

Last month, the Council voted to back Measure A, which would repeal the ¼ cent sales tax under Measure H that was approved by voters in 2017 and expires in 2027 and replace it with a ½ cent sales tax ("Council Backs County Sales Tax Hike," September 25, 2024).

If approved by a majority of voters, the measure would raise the sales tax rate to 10.50 percent in LA County, which already has the second highest sales tax among California's 58 counties.

The poll also asked if the City Council should make it easier to run a business in Santa Monica, noting that a recent survey ranked it as the most expensive city to conduct business in the region.

Nearly all respondents -- 96 percent -- said yes, 1 percent said no and 3 percent weren't sure.

A July survey of more than two hundred cities ranked Santa Monica as the most expensive city to conduct business in the region and in seven competing states ("Santa Monica Most Expensive City for Business," September 17, 2024).

As with previous polls, the latest Pulse poll was sent via text to about 1,000 Santa Monica residents who "previously opted in to receive more information on education efforts surrounding crime and safety in their city." It had a 17 percent response rate.

Those who wish to be included in the next poll conducted monthly by the Center for Union Facts, a hotel union watchdog, should email their name and cell phone number to SaMoPulse@gmail.com.

Editor's note. A previous version of this article stated that a campaign mailer from the Democratic Club featured LA County District Attorney George Gascon, who endorsed the Democratic Club and SMRR slate. The Democratic Club did not produce the mailer, and Gason has not made an endorsement in the City Council race.