By Jorge Casuso

September 11, 2025 -- A monthly poll of "civically minded" residents concerned with crime found a record percentage of respondents is unsatisfied with the Council's performance.

The text poll of some 130 residents taken between September 5 and 8 also gauged the impact of Chief Ramon Batista's resignation on public safety and support for a State transit-related housing bill headed for a final vote Friday.

The latest Santa Monica Pulse poll found that 87 percent of respondents were unsatisfied with the Council's performance since four new members were seated last December.

Of those, 78 percent were "very" unsatisfied, while 4 percent were somewhat satisfied and 3 percent "very" satisfied. Six percent had no opinion.

It is the lowest approval rating for the Council in the poll, which first gauged the Council's performance in April 2021, when 80 percent said they believed the City was not on the right track.

That poll was taken after a new Council was seated that was swept into office by a voter revolt after the 2020 coronavirus shutdown and the Memorial Day 2020 riots.

Two years later, a poll conducted in June 2023 found that 53 percent disapproved of the Council's performance, while 12 percent approved and 35 percent said they were not sure.

The last time the poll gauged the Council's performance in February 2024, the numbers has changed little, with 56 percent disapproving of the Council's performance, 9 percent approving and 35 percent not sure

This month's poll also asked if Police Chief Ramon Batista's resignation last month "will improve or worsen public safety."

A little more than half -- 54 percent -- said the resignation will worsen public safety, 11 percent said it would improve public safety and 25 percent said it would make no difference. Ten percent had no opinion.

This month's poll also asked respondents to weigh in on SB 79, which allows new residential buildings of up to seven stories near major transit stops, overriding local zoning ordinances.

Eighty percent said they "strongly" oppose the bill and 7 percent said the "somewhat" oppose it. Meanwhile, 5 percent strongly support the bill and 4 percent somewhat support it. Four percent had no opinion.

The poll noted that the bill is opposed by 131 California cities and supported by five, including Santa Monica.

As with previous polls, the latest Santa Monica Pulse poll was sent via text to some 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