I can tell you why working as a report writer for the Sac County Sheriff's in the 90's right about the time RC went to their own city and then a few years later, Citrus Heights. For example: Rio Linda, Elverta, North Highlands, Antelope and a little part of Citrus Heights (before cityhood) were all one district. It's a large area to cover and no, there are not 2 cars or even 1 car for each location. So if cars are at a scene in Antelope and one is needed in Rio Linda, it could take awhile. On a ridealong one time, we were in this area and were called as a last resort over to Town and Country which was another district. When you have your own police department, you have the ability to control the amount of cars available for your particular area. Little tidbit, city police departments (Sac City, Citrus Heights) do not pay CHP to patrol their areas for vehicle violations. Sacramento Sheriff does. The sheriff deputies do not spend time for tag violations, speeding, traffic etc (unless it's obvious like someone dumb enough to run a stop sign in front of them or doing 30 mph over the limit). They leave that stuff to the CHP. However, the deputies in the cities such as Sac City, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Roseville do work traffic violations. Not to say a CHP may be driving through and see something but generally they are not assigned to the city areas and as I said, if the sheriff sees something, they will pull you over. In the non city areas that the sheriff's dept pays CHP. the CHP will take over the accident report.