A riot in downtown Youngstown amid Halloween weekend celebrations over the weekend casts a disheartening stain on the image of the rejuvenated central city. In its aftermath, all key players in the health and future of downtown must commit to lifting that stain as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.

In depicting the melee in the city’s entertainment district as a “riot,” we do not use the term lightly. Webster defines it as a “tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons.” Police described the disturbance thusly, and at least three people have been charged with riot.

Fortunately for all involved, this riot did not result in any deaths or serious injuries. Though the scope of any minor injuries to those involved in the mass fight is unknown, the senseless violence did result in police officers being shoved, knocked to the ground and kicked in the face, according to police reports.

According to those reports, all available officers responded to the disturbance between two groups totaling between 50 and 60 people shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday in the 100 block of West Commerce Street in the large parking lot of the George V. Voinovich Government Center.

To be sure, the YPD merits commendation for responding quickly and forcefully to disperse the crowd and prevent the riot from spreading and worsening.

Unfortunately, despite the responsible work of the city’s men and women in blue, the new smudge the riot inflicted on the downtown’s image likely will not fade away quickly.

That’s why it’s imperative for all stakeholders in the downtown — city leaders, police, private business owners and residents who take pride in it — to work to ensure such outbursts of violence and hooliganism do not recur to mar continued progress in revitalizing the showcase area of Youngstown and the Valley.

After all, over the past two decades, tens of millions of dollars have been invested in downtown’s renaissance. New businesses have given new life to vacant storefronts. Arts and cultural institutions, with the Covelli Centre, Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre and the DeYor Performing Arts Center leading the way, have bustled with excitement and record crowds. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of Youngstown State University students and others routinely flock to the growing entertainment district to relax, unwind and socialize on weekends and big concert nights. State, federal and local dollars are transforming and modernizing downtown infrastructure.

As a result, many public attitudes have been adjusted for the better. No longer can the downtown be viewed as a vast Rust Belt wasteland heaped in decay and crime.

But the alarm created by the mere mention of the word “riot” could compel some to rethink that new and improved vision of downtown. Youngstown can ill afford to let that happen.

For starters, police would be wise to increase their presence in the entertainment district, particularly during periods of high foot traffic on weekend nights.

The courts can ensure the stiffest sentences possible are meted out to those arrested in the rioting and police assaults last Sunday.

Bar and club workers can ensure inebriated and agitated patrons are removed from premises before tempers get out of control.

Members of the public throughout the city and the Valley can continue to support and patronize downtown entertainment and arts establishments to prove that a relatively few bad apples won’t spoil the renewed hubbub in the heart of the city.

Youngstown leaders and their partner groups and agencies too numerous to mention have worked tirelessly and successfully to add luster and economic vitality to the downtown. That’s why all must commit never to allow any ragtag band of thugs to rip asunder that amazing progress.