LOS ANGELES (AP) — An audit shows Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy emergency response times are quicker in cities that contract for policing services.

The auditor-controller says it took deputies and average 4.8 minutes to respond in contract cities compared with 5.8 minutes in unincorporated areas.

The Sheriff’s Department says the extra minute was caused by remoteness and difficult roads in unincorporated areas.

The audit also found that 91 percent of promised patrol hours were provided in unincorporated areas while 99 percent was provided in cities that pay for sheriff’s services.

Sheriff’s officials blamed the difference on Board of Supervisors-imposed budget cuts.

The Los Angeles Times says the audit comes days after Supervisor Gloria Molina claimed Sheriff Lee Baca was providing better service to contract cities than to unincorporated county areas.