By Jorge Casuso

July 7, 2025 -- Opposition to Santa Monica's Entertainment Zone seems to be waning less than one month after visitors were first allowed to stroll the strip with a drink in hand.

The monthly Santa Monica Pulse poll of "civically minded" residents taken between June 27 and 30 found that opposition to the weekend zone dropped from two-thirds of respondents one month ago to a little more than half.

Meanwhile, support rose slightly -- from 28 to 31 percent-- after the zone opened with a "soft launch" on June 13, while those reserving judgment rose from 6 to 16 percent.

The weakening opposition comes after dozens of alarmed residents opposed the Council's unanimous decision on May 13 to launch Southern California's first Entertainment Zone ("Council Approves Scaled Down Entertainment Zone," May 14, 2025).

Dozens of residents wrote letters to the Council predicting the zone would increase crime, encourage rowdy or violent behavior and lead to more drunk drivers on the road.

"I cannot believe the council is actually considering this," one resident wrote. Others were more blunt: "Possible to think of a dumber idea?" "Have you people completely lost all sense?" "ARE YOU GUYS MAD?"

The zone opened one month later with a soft launch that the poll noted "has reportedly succeeded in increasing the number of visitors" to the Promenade "with no reported safety concerns" ("Santa Monica Rolls Out Entertainment Zone," June 17, 2025).

The poll also asked residents to weigh in on a 9 percent drop in the number of visitors to Santa Monica last year ("Fall in Domestic Visitors Cushioned by Global Travel," June 16, 2025).

When asked to choose between four reasons "most responsible for the decline," 70 percent chose "public safety and homelessness concerns."

Thirteen percent chose "City leadership and policy decisions," while 3 percent chose a "lack of appealing events and attractions" and another 3 percent chose "nationally rising travel costs."

Eleven percent submitted a personal response. Of these, "the majority mentioned crime, homelessness and overdevelopment," according to Eyes on 11, the hotel union watchdog that conducted the poll.

In addition, the poll asked residents to weigh in on the Council's June 24 vote to drop a proposal to add five new officer positions to the police force.

An overwhelming 82 percent opposed the decision, 12 percent supported the decision and 6 percent were not sure.

The $793.3 million budget for FY 2025-26 and $829.7 million for FY 2026-27 approved by the Council adds a police sergeant and an unsworn community services officer ("Tight Budget Zeros in on Public Safety," June 30, 2025).

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 13.5 percent response rate.

Those who wish to be included in the next poll should email their name and cell phone number to SaMoPulse@gmail.com