BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A string of car break-ins in a shared parking lot behind Lyles College of Beauty in downtown Bakersfield has left students frustrated and feeling unsafe, with students saying at least six vehicles have been targeted in the past month.

Students from Lyle's College of Beauty speak up about the lack of lights and surveillance cameras at night, leading to car break-ins. Photo credit: Alei

Students from Lyle’s College of Beauty speak up about the lack of lights and surveillance cameras at night, leading to car break-ins. Photo credit: Alei

Two students at the college, Alei and Niki, said the break-ins have happened on their side of the lot and blamed a lack of surveillance and lighting.

“It’s just frustrating to, like, come here and then have my stuff stolen out of my vehicle. If that makes sense. Like, and they just, all they have to say is, ‘I can’t do anything about that for you,’ ” Niki said.

Students said items stolen include diaper bags, Social Security cards, and beauty school supplies costing up to $3,000.

Alei said the area feels especially unsafe at night.

“Riding isn’t too well over there, and when you’re out here at night, it gets really dark. So, and we always have pass survivors, so it’s not, you know, the safest area,” Alei said.

Alei also described a report from another student who saw someone trying car doors.

Students from Lyle's College of Beauty speak up about the lack of lights and surveillance cameras at night, leading to car break-ins.{ } KBAK/KBFX

Students from Lyle’s College of Beauty speak up about the lack of lights and surveillance cameras at night, leading to car break-ins.{ } KBAK/KBFX

“There was that one girl, um, she saw him jiggling on the door handle for the doors, and she said that she felt scared, ’cause she was outside, like, almost threatened,” Alei said.

When students raised concerns, they were told the college could not take action because the incidents happened in a shared parking lot with other businesses.

In a phone call, a Lyles College of Beauty employee said the school is working on adding surveillance cameras and said break-ins are also happening to other businesses in the area.

Students from Lyle's College of Beauty speak up about the lack of lights and surveillance cameras at night, leading to car break-ins. KBAK/KBFX

Students from Lyle’s College of Beauty speak up about the lack of lights and surveillance cameras at night, leading to car break-ins. KBAK/KBFX

However, other businesses in the same parking lot said they have not dealt with recent car break-ins.

Those businesses said Bakersfield police told them to file a report online.

Niki said students want more action focused on safety.

“You know, caring more about our safety and just showing more effort, at least,” Niki said.

Bakersfield police had not responded to a request for information on whether a suspect had been identified.