PHOENIX -- A new Glendale program is keeping convicted sex offenders away from potential victims, police said.

Under the city's new Sex Offender Address Program, also known as SOAP, police officers make surprise visits to Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders -- ones who have been deemed to be at a higher risk of committing new crimes -- Officer John Babinchack said.

Officer Randy Rainbolt said the random visits provide accountability.

"We don't want them to know we're coming so they can take care of their issues," he said.

Nevertheless, Rainbolt said the officers often call at some point before the visit.

"We kind of want to let them know we're going to make our visit," he said. "They don't know when."

Since the program went into effect last year, the number of sex offenders living in Glendale has decreased 146 percent -- from 207 offenders two years ago to 84 this year, Babinchack said.

He said he tracks all the sex offenders who have moved to and from Glendale.

"I've also kept track of the absconders, the ones we've lost track of," he said. "The numbers have decreased."

SOAP only covers the offenders with the highest recidivism risk. Babinchack said adding the lower-risk offenders would give police between 200 and 300 more doors to knock on.