The lightning response by Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly to the attack on a black youth Wednesday in Howard Beach signals that, at least in some ways, the city has come a long way since the Howard Beach incident of 1986. That was when three black men were attacked and one killed by a car as he fled, an incident that will forever shame the city of New York. On Wednesday of this week, three white youths pulled up alongside the three black youths, two of whom managed to flee. The third, Glenn Moore, was assaulted with a baseball bat by one of the white youths, Nicholas Minucci, police said. Mr. Moore also had sneakers and an earring stolen from him, according to police reports. He is now in Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, suffering from head, back, leg, and internal injuries, but is in stable condition.

The leadership of the city moved instantly to make it clear that it understands this issue and takes it with the utmost seriousness. After being told of the attack Wednesday night, Mr. Bloomberg cut his dinner short, and together with Mr. Kelly, raced to the 106th Precinct in Queens, briefed reporters on the crime, and pledged “zero tolerance” of hate crimes. He also phoned black community leaders. Mr. Minucci has been arrested and charged with assault as a hate crime, robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon. According to the District Attorney’s office, Mr. Minucci has confessed to the crime in a video and written confession.

While details are still emerging, there are allegations that the three black men were not innocently in the area. Mr. Moore’s two companions reportedly admitted to police they had been in the area looking for a car to steal, and Mr. Minucci claims – in his written confession obtained by The New York Sun from the District Attorney’s office – Mr. Moore had attempted to rob him earlier with a screwdriver. The facts of that claim are yet to be sorted out. But while self-defense is permitted under the laws of New York, the law does not permit the kind of attack that was allegedly perpetrated on Mr. Moore Wednesday evening.

Even before the facts had been sorted out, the Reverend Al Sharpton was speaking outside the hospital yesterday, asserting that nothing has changed since 1986. There are also unconfirmed reports he is planning to organize a march. But a great deal has changed since 1986. It’s not that racism has been expunged. It is still a major problem in New York. But the body of law to deal with bias crimes has been strengthened. And the political and law enforcement leadership and the citizens of this city are on the highest alert and set to move instantly to make it clear that when the authorities believe that racism has erupted in a violent way, it will be met with the fullest extent of the law, swiftly, and with attention from the top.