By Jorge Casuso

December 5, 2023 -- A slight majority of Santa Monica residents backs a proposed racial profiling policy that requires police officers to state the reason for all traffic stops on body-worn video, according to a monthly poll.

The Santa Monica Pulse poll of about 130 "civically engaged" residents also found support for allowing -- rather than forcing -- LA hotels to house the homeless.

In addition, the poll taken between November 30 and December 4 found half opppose a State ballot initiative that would reallocate billions of dollars to help the homeless.

The text poll sent to some 1,000 residents interested in "education efforts surrounding crime and safety" found that 55 percent supported the Police Reform Commission's recommendation to adopt LAPD's pretextual stop policy, which is opposed by law enforcement.

Asked it Santa Monica should adopt the policy, 30 percent said no, while some 15 percent were not sure.

The recommendation was unanimously approved Thursday by the Commission, which had to recast its November 7 vote after the City Attorney's office found it had violated the Brown Act by failing to adequately describe the item on the agenda.

The three commissioners who initially opposed the recommendation did not attend Thursday's meeting ("Police Reform Commission Approves Racial Profiling Policy, Again," December 1, 2023).

The Commission majority said the recommended policy, which will go to the City Council for a vote, will help deter pretextual stops of minorities, especially Blacks ("Police Reform Commission Takes Up Identity Profiling," July 10, 2023).

Data compiled by SMPD show that Black motorists are involved in a disproportionate number of traffic stops.

Asked to weigh in on Proposition 1, a state ballot initiative to fund homeless services that was recently endorsed by the City Council, 50 percent of the respondents said they would vote against it.

Only 19 percent of respondents said they would vote for the measure on the March 2024 ballot that "would reallocate billions of dollars to help homeless Californians and those struggling with substance use," according to the poll.

The poll -- which found 31 percent of respondents were not sure -- added that "opponents say the measure will only throw more money at a more nuanced issue."

The poll's final question asked Santa Monica residents to weigh in on a law approved by the LA City Council this week that "would allow hotels to voluntarily house the homeless, along with other requirements."

The poll noted that the new law "will replace the measure intended for the March 2024 ballot that would have forced hotels to house the homeless."

Two-thirds said they support "this new approach where housing the homeless is voluntary instead of forced," while 22 percent oppose it and 12 percent were not sure.

As with previous polls, the latest Santa Monica Pulse poll was sent via text to nearly 1,000 residents who "previously opted in to receive more information on education efforts surrounding crime and safety in their city." It had a 13 percent response rate.

The poll is conducted by Eyes on 11, a hotel union watchdog. Those who wish to be included in the next poll should email their name and cell phone number to SaMoPulse@gmail.com