WARREN - Mayors in the two largest Trumbull County cities are backing legislation calling for increased scrutiny of violent sex offenders on the verge of being released from prison.

Both Mayors Michael O'Brien in Warren and Ralph Infante in Niles say they agree with the view of County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins, who asked both mayors to write to Gov. Ted Strickland, urging the passage of what's known now as Senate Bill 67.

Watkins found out about the proposal while preparing a successful challenge to a Warren sexual predator, who was preparing to be released from prison and live with his brother, who also happens to be a sex offender recently released from a prison in Georgia.

Watkins and the legislation call for a civil commitment proceeding that could keep violent offenders in treatment centers or halfway houses even after their formal release from prison.

''The new law adds flexibility into the criteria of releasing violent sex offenders in society. It includes possible detention, treatment or GPS tracking. It gives the (Ohio) Department of Health some control,'' Watkins said. ''Ohio would be the 20th state to adopt this type of law, and the other 19 states some considered conservative and some liberal.''

The new law challenges prosecutors to use a clear and convincing burden of proof and results of tests by experts to persuade state officials that a violent sex offender is likely to attack again.

''It's nothing more than a common-sense approach,'' Wat-kins said.

''I'm in favor of it. We get calls at city hall from time to time and refer them to a Web site that tracks sex offenders. It's important that we have treatment for these inmates, some of whom shouldn't be released at the time,'' O'Brien said.

''The protection of our children in Ohio must be our top priority to insure their safety,'' O'Brien told the governor in his letter.

Infante meanwhile has already contacted parole officers to check on their clients after calls to his city hall. I have to applaud Dennis (Watkins) for keeping on top of this. We jumped on the chance to support this. We need quick passage,'' Infante said.

When he wrote to Strickland, Infante pointed out that there are 40 sex offenders registered in Niles alone. ''As a father, grandfather and mayor, this is a great concern of mine and for any parent living in the city,'' the letter stated.

The Ohio Parole Board eventually denied parole for Juan Wade, who won't get a chance at parole until 2011.

Assistant county prosecutor Diane Barber addressed the board in Columbus.

Wade has admitted turning down any kind of treatment while confined to Lorain Correctional Institution.

Watkins pushed for the hearing after the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections' approved a placement plan that had Wade living with his brother Willie Wade in Warren.

Willie Wade received a 45-year prison sentence in Georgia and was recently released.

Juan Wade has served 23 years of a 7-to-25-year sentence handed down July 30, 1986, after he pleaded guilty to three counts of rape involving two girls and a boy.

The original indictment against Wade involved seven counts and attacks on five victims between the ages of 3 and 7.

Mental health experts who examined Wade in prison labeled him a high risk to offend in the future.

cbobby@tribtoday.com