I can't say firsthand about prostitutes, at least in the parishes whithin which I've lived. But having been involved in politics for many years, I can testify first hand as to the "Court House Crowd's" political clout. They control many jobs and therefore many votes. They tend to circle the wagons when ever threatened by "outsiders." And it's a money machine for them, so I could see where they could make crime a paying proposition for the members of the "crowd."
Decribes this situation quite well.