This is a complex question worthy of a few considerations.
First, although we ask that everyone be as rigorous as they feel they can be, no one person will be able to skew the data just messing their counts up. Know that when someone sets out to collect large volumes of data, like we are here, a key role for those designing the methodology – or anyone interpreting them – is knowing the limits of accuracy, and accounting for user error or input variation, especially with a crowdsourced, sensitive and subjective topic like this.
Second, note that user error or input variation can often be predictable – that makes it possible to be further investigated separately. Part of the value of this process will be in helping us better understand to what degree of accuracy can demographic based traffic counts be conducted. That means not everything needs to be right the first time. We can still look at the data relative to other other data sets or subsequent studies, such as self-reported data in the census for example, intercept surveys, video recordings with trained experts, etc.
Thirdly, when dealing with perceived demographic info, there is no wrong or right answer. There are only patterns in reported data.
Lastly, although we do not control how the data will be used in perpetuity nor are we responsible for targeting services or funding per se, all data is meant to help us all make better decisions somehow. While we certainly hope it will influence policy-making in some way, we don’t think it will be used to make the type of community-specific project decisions suggested in this question, but rather will contribute to an important narrative about racialized communities and the use of space.
As with all observed data, we simply ask you to do the best you can, and as a volunteer, everything you do is right and we are very grateful for your help.