Hickory: To get into Crow's Perch unmolested you need to completely diffuse the situation by buying the thugs a drink. If you tell them you're a witcher you need to use bribery at Crow's Perch. Any other choice results in hostility at the gates.
PK1: I used the 2nd option of telling them that I'm a witcher which is a peaceful option, but they attacked me on sight at Crows Perch as I entered the town. I did not get a option to bribe them.
Now wherever I go the peasants all shout to run and hide, even whilst casually milling around. I also cannot talk with the Blacksmith in Blackbough.
Did you meet any Bloody Baron cronies when you left the Inn? If you did, did a scuffle occur, or did you high-tail out of there? If the former, that's why they are hostile. If you didn't encounter further thugs outside the inn, did you go straight to Heatherton and then Crow's Perch? If you did, and you have a saved game before Inn at the Crossroads, I would suggest you start again from there, since you won't have lost much time -- Heatherton's a very short distraction.